China on Saturday expressed its “strong displeasure” after the publication by the G7 of a communicated addressing him several reproaches about the South China Sea, human rights or even supposed interference.
The Heads of State and Government of the G7 (Canada, France, United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom), meeting since Friday in Hiroshima, Japan, have called on Beijing to “not to engage in interference activities” and express their “concerns” in matters of human rights, “particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang”. They further emphasize “the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” and say to each other “seriously concerned” by the situation in the South China Sea, indirectly accusing China of “coercion”.
With regard to the war in Ukraine, the G7 also urges Beijing, a close economic and diplomatic partner of Moscow, which maintains a position of neutrality vis-à-vis the two belligerents, to “to pressure Russia to cease its aggression”.
Official protest
“The G7 is stubbornly manipulating China-related issues, discrediting and attacking China”a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday evening. “China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition and has lodged a formal protest with Japan, the host country of the summit, as well as other relevant parties. »
Regarding Taiwan, the ministry notably criticizes the G7 countries for only pointing their fingers at Beijing and for not showing clear opposition to the Taiwanese independence movement. “The G7 is trumpeting that it intends to move towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous world. But, in fact, it hinders world peace, harms regional stability and inhibits the development of other countries.said the Chinese spokesperson. “This approach does not have any international credibility. »
The G7 communiqué is the result of negotiations between countries like the United States, supporters of firmness with regard to China, and others, on the European side, more concerned with avoiding any “confrontation” with Beijing.