G7 scolds China and Russia over ‘threats, bullying and rights abuses’ in vote of support for Taiwan and Ukraine
- Foreign ministers voice their displeasure e in 12,400-word communique
- The G7 is seeking to present the West as a much broader alliance than just the core rich nations
The Group of Seven scolded both China and Russia on Wednesday, casting Beijing as a bully and the Kremlin as malicious, but beyond words there were few concrete steps aside from expressing support for Taiwan and Ukraine.
Founded in 1975 as a forum for the West’s richest nations to discuss crises such as the Opec oil embargo, the G7 this week addressed what it perceives as the biggest current threats: China, Russia and the coronavirus pandemic.
G7 foreign ministers, in a 12,400-word communique, said China was guilty of human rights abuses and of using its economic clout to bully others, while Russia was trying to undermine democracies and threatening Ukraine.
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US delegation visits Taiwan as Beijing warns of military action against the island
The G7 said it would bolster collective efforts to stop China’s “coercive economic policies” and to counter Russian disinformation – part of a move to present the West as a much broader alliance than just the core G7 countries.