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G7 fires warning shots over China’s ‘coercive economic policies’ and Russia’s military build-up
- Group of Seven discussions on China included Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the East and South China Seas
- Russia warned of ‘massive consequences’ if Ukraine is attacked
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The Group of Seven (G7) voiced concern on Sunday about what it called China’s “coercive economic policies” and the challenges posed by Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, as two days of meetings between G7 foreign ministers drew to an end in Liverpool.
As well as efforts to align their approach to Beijing, the gathering of G7 delegates also focused on Russia’s increased military build-up on the border with Ukraine, discussions that resulted in a warning of “massive consequences” if Moscow attacked Kyiv.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the discussions on China covered a “range of issues and challenges”, including Hong Kong and Xinjiang, where Beijing is respectively accused of trampling democratic freedoms and launching a far-reaching crackdown on ethnic minority groups.
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The ministers also discussed Beijing’s actions in the East and South China seas and the “importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”, and expressed their “concern about [China’s] coercive economic policies”, Truss, who chaired the meetings, said in a statement.
Beijing hit back Monday by calling the G7 discussion of China “interference in its domestic affairs” and “vilification of China’s image”.
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