G7 issues strongest condemnation of China as it intensifies response to Beijing

The G7 has issued its strongest condemnation of China as the world’s most advanced economies step up their response to what they say are rising military and economic security threats posed by Beijing.

Criticising China over everything from its militarisation of the South China Sea to its use of “economic coercion”, the G7 urged Beijing to push Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

The G7 members said they were “seriously concerned” about events in the East and South China Seas, and “strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion”. They also called for a “peaceful solution” to tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

The group stressed that they “were prepared to build constructive and stable relations” with Beijing but recognised the importance of “engaging candidly . . . and expressing our concerns directly to China”.