Cannon said Canada does not have an extradition treaty with China and that only Canadian courts can decide what to do with Chinese nationals accused of crimes in their homeland.

However, Cannon said he had "reassured" the Chinese foreign minister "that we are doing everything possible to make sure that ultimately these people are repatriated back to China to be able to face justice."

"From a perspective of Canada-China relations, it's as well important to be able to move this matter as fast as possible," Cannon told journalists during a visit to New York.

China is pressuring Canada and other Western states not to give asylum to the many Chinese nationals caught in sweeping crackdowns on corruption.

On Monday, Chinese state media reported that a low-ranking Chinese official had fled to Canada after embezzling 94 million yuan ($14 million).

Earlier this month, a Chinese millionaire accused of fraud was deported to China after Canada's federal court dismissed concerns he could face torture or execution.

Han Lin Zeng, accused by Chinese authorities of fraud in a stock scheme linked to a failed business merger, fled China in 2004 and was denied asylum in Canada.

His lawyers said Han could be tortured to extract a confession or confronted with additional charges that carry the death penalty once he was repatriated.

The Canadian judge said there was no evidence that Han faced harsh punishment, but Han's lawyer said the Canadian government "has effectively delivered our client into the hands of his executioners."

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