China hits out at Japan over G7 summit, accuses US-led bloc of ‘camp confrontation and cold war mentality’

Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong summons Japanese ambassador as embassies in Tokyo and London also lash out over comments from summit

‘Dirty water’ of economic coercion cannot be poured on China, Sun says, urging that Japan ‘correct its understanding’ of the country

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Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong has slammed Japan over its G7 presidency and role in agenda-setting for the Hiroshima summit. Photo: AP

Published: 7:40pm, 22 May 2023Updated: 8:54pm, 22 May 2023

China has condemned Japan over its hosting of the just-concluded Group of Seven summit, summoning its ambassador to slam Tokyo for acting as an “accomplice” to Washington in singling out Beijing for censure.

The escalating war of words follows the release of G7 joint statements that have also prompted China to take aim at the United States and Britain.

Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong summoned Japanese ambassador Hideo Tarumi on Sunday to express Beijing’s “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to the previous day’s G7 joint communique, and other documents concerning Taiwan and other “China-related issues”, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The pair had a candid exchange, with Tarumi issuing a rebuttal in response, according to Japanese media reports.

China has urged the G7 to “stop creating and stoking bloc confrontation”. Photo: AP

In a joint communique issued at the close of their three-day summit in Hiroshima, the G7 called for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, while voicing serious concerns about tensions in the East and South China seas as well as the human rights situation in China, including in Tibet and Xinjiang.