The Australian man was reportedly arrested with methamphetamine in his luggage

An Australian man has been sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling, the Australian government has confirmed.

The man was named in Australian media as Karm or Cam Gilespie.

He is believed to have been arrested at an airport in 2013 with 7.5kg (16 Ibs) of methamphetamine, also known as ice, in his luggage, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reports.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was "deeply saddened to hear of the verdict".

"Australia opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances for all people. We support the universal abolition of the death penalty and are committed to pursuing this goal through all the avenues available to us," it said in a statement.

What's the background?

Relations between China and Australia have been strained by trade disputes and mutual criticism during the coronavirus pandemic.

Australia angered China by calling for an independent inquiry into the origins of the virus, first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

Beijing subsequently warned citizens against travelling to Australia, saying there had been a "significant increase" in racist attacks on Asian people, and told Chinese students to consider the risks of studying there.