China on Monday confirmed the detention of a Canadian citizen it said is involved in a drug-related case in Yantai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news conference that a drug-related case involving foreign students is under investigation and one of the persons involved is a Canadian citizen.

He also said that the case has nothing to do with a recent drug-related case in Xuzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, where a police crackdown netted the arrest of 19 people, including 16 foreigners.

He said the police have notified consular officials at relevant embassies and will arrange consular visits.

China will safeguard the legitimate rights of the parties concerned in accordance with law, Geng said.