Sébastien Le Belzic (correspondent in Beijing), edited by Corentin Alloune / Photo credit: Noel CELIS / AFP
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06:32, May 19, 2023
Along with the war in Ukraine, this is the other subject on the G7 agenda which opens this Friday in Hiroshima, Japan. China protects itself from possible economic blackmail and plans to retaliate if its companies were to be sanctioned by the G7 countries for their support for Russia in its war effort.
It is “not an anti-Chinese G7” cautiously insisted the Elysée just before the opening of the summit this Friday. China, which will be on everyone’s mind, even if unlike India and Brazil, it was not invited to participate in this summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
A G7 perceived as an instrument of Western domination by China
For Beijing, it is an insult and the G7 is only an instrument of Western domination. “The G7 is grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs. It has maliciously slandered and discredited China. Its statements are full of sinister arrogance and prejudice,” said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. foreign.
China fears being punished for its support for the war led by Vladimir Putin. Several of his companies are in the crosshairs of Washington, Japan and European Union countries, suspected of supporting the Russian war effort.
Beijing promises reprisals in the event of sanctions and the G7 will try to agree on a mechanism to protect itself from possible economic blackmail from Beijing.