Coronavirus: China pessimistic over global powers’ efforts to save world economy amid distrust

Beijing adviser says we ‘may not see’ a global coordinated effort to fight the economic impact of the coronavirus any time soon

China has been sidelined as G7 powers discuss the need to work more closely, with mistrust among major powers set to hamper recovery effort

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European Union leaders met in Brussels on March 16 where they pledged greater coordination to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Photo: AFP

Finbarr Bermingham,Orange WangandWendy Wu

Published: 7:30pm, 17 Mar 2020Updated: 3:42pm, 19 Mar 2020

A pledge from G7 leaders to “act together” to solve the “health and economic risks” of the coronavirus pandemic has been met with pessimism in China, which has found itself on the sidelines of initial discussions on how to save the global economy.

China is not part of the G7, but the fact it did not warrant a single mention in a near-800 word communique released on Monday from the influential grouping, despite being arguably the only major economy to have been through the virus’ wringer, suggested just how far out in the cold it has landed.

The Group of 7 (G7) consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the United States, and the European Union.

The suggestion was hammered home in a subsequent tweet by US President Donald Trump, referring to “the Chinese virus”, in the sort of pejorative language that has become prevalent among senior members of his administration.

Chinese officials, meanwhile, have been propagating the myth that the virus may have originated outside China, in some cases even blaming the US for introducing it to Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak.

The virus crisis is unfolding at a time of deep mistrust between global powers, amid rising protectionism and waning interest in multilateralism, presenting an arguably unprecedented challenge to global leaders.

“Global coordination either through the G7 or G20 is needed. If we lose control, the pandemic will risk a new round of global economic crises and social turmoil,” said an adviser to the Chinese government, who spoke under condition of anonymity. “So far there is no coordinated global action and we may not see one any time soon.”