HIROSHIMA (AFP/AP) – G7 leaders on Saturday said the bloc also wanted “constructive and stable relations” with Beijing but warned China over its “militarization activities” in the Asia-Pacific region.
In a final communiqué issued at a summit in Hiroshima, the nations sought to keep the door open to cooperation and avoid further inflaming tensions between the world’s second largest economy and the grouping of major Western powers plus Japan.
“We stand prepared to build constructive and stable relations with China, recognizing the importance of engaging candidly with and expressing our concerns directly to China,” the group said. “Our policy approaches are not designed to harm China nor do we seek to thwart China’s economic progress and development,” the statement continued, adding that the G7 countries are not “decoupling or turning inwards”.
Still, the language made clear the bloc’s wide-ranging concerns about Beijing’s willingness to deploy trade measures in diplomatic disputes and G7 determination to untangle sensitive supply chains from Chinese influence. “Economic resilience requires de-risking and diversifying,” the communiqué said, pledging to “reduce excessive dependencies in our critical supply chains”.
China expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with a communiqué issued by G7 leaders that took aim at Beijing on issues including the South China Sea, human rights and alleged interference in their democracies.
While marking the seventh anniversary of her governance amid high tensions with China, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen vowed to “maintain the status quo of peace and stability” across the Taiwan Strait.
“War is not an option,” Tsai said in a speech in the presidential office on Saturday, vowing to defend her country’s freedom and democracy.
She also accused China of pressuring Taiwan, saying Taiwan will not “provoke and will not bow to Chinese pressure.”
“Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo with non-peaceful means.” She said.
“Maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the consensus for both the world and Taiwan.” She added.