G7 Foreign Ministers United in Response to China and Russia Threats

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, attending the G7 (Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) issued a joint statement on the 5th (local time) criticizing China and Russia for threatening the international order and urging them to participate constructively in the international order.

In the joint statement released after a two-day meeting held in London, UK, G7 foreign and development ministers expressed their positions on containing China and Russia, denuclearization of North Korea, and post-COVID-19 pandemic reconstruction.

They particularly urged China to participate constructively in the international order, expressing deep concern over human rights abuses in Xinjiang Uyghur and the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong. They called for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms while complying with international norms and legal obligations.

Pointing out China’s practices that undermine a free and fair international economic system, they emphasized joint efforts to strengthen global economic resilience against unilateral and coercive economic policies and practices.

The statement also called on China to act responsibly in cyberspace, including refraining from intellectual property theft in the cyber domain.

Regarding Russia, they expressed deep concern over irresponsible, destabilizing, and negative actions such as the military buildup in Crimea and near the Ukraine border.

However, the joint statement did not include specific measures that would be of concern to Chinese President Xi Jinping or Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Regarding North Korea, they demanded restraint from provocations and engagement in denuclearization negotiations. They also supported the United States’ new North Korea policy and emphasized the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.

Along with this, they expressed serious concern over North Korea’s human rights issues and called for the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue.

They also explicitly stated support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) forum and the World Health Assembly (WHA).

Regarding Iran, they expressed support for efforts to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

They emphasized the importance of cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in post-COVID-19 pandemic reconstruction.

They pledged to strengthen open societies, shared values, and a rules-based international order, noting that democracy is under pressure worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose threats, and the severe impacts of climate change are increasing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.