High-ranking diplomats from the Group of Seven affluent democracies agreed to take a stern position against China’s escalating threats against Taiwan and against North Korea’s unrestrained long-range missile launches, while also advancing plans for how to strengthen support for Ukraine and punish Russia for its invasion.
Monday’s agenda for the envoys gathering in this Japanese hot spring resort town for talks supposed to prepare the ground for action by G-7 leaders when they meet next month in Hiroshima was dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to a Japanese summary, the world is at a “turning point” in regards to the conflict in Ukraine and must “firmly reject unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, as well as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its threats of using nuclear weapons.”
The G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, and the European Union see these two issues as serious threats to the post-World War II rules-based international order. For the American delegation, the meeting comes at a critical time in the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and efforts to deal with China.
The Biden administration wants to strengthen support for Ukraine, including a significant initiative on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure launched at the G-7 summits in Germany last year, as well as to ensure the continuation of military assistance to Kyiv, according to a senior American official travelling with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Priority will also be given to toughening sanctions against Russia, especially the economic and financial ones that the G-7 initially threatened in December 2021, before the invasion.
With Russia’s present attack mostly halted and Ukraine preparing a counteroffensive, Ukraine will soon confront a crucial time. The U.S. official said there will be discussions about how to strengthen support for Ukraine’s long-term defence and deterrent capabilities while speaking on the record to discuss Blinken’s priorities.
That might also strengthen Kiev’s negotiating position in the event that the war is resolved on its terms.
The opportunity to discuss coordinated action against China is presented by Japan’s role as chairman of this year’s conference. Japan is the sole Asian member of the G-7.
The diplomats in Karuizawa are anticipated to discuss their impressions of where the Chinese stand on a number of issues, including the war in Ukraine, North Korea, and Taiwan, which is a particular sore point in U.S.-Chinese relations. Recently, leaders and foreign ministers of G-7 countries, most recently France and Germany, have completed visits to China.
Hayashi called for ongoing communication with China on the several global concerns where Beijing’s participation is considered as important during a private working dinner on Sunday night, which was the diplomats’ first official encounter. Global commerce, finance, and climate change initiatives are just a few of the Chinese interests that are linked with those of wealthy democracies.
Recently, China sent ships and aircraft to mimic an encirclement of Taiwan. Beijing has also been rapidly increasing its nuclear arsenal, adopting a more aggressive stance towards its claim to the South China Sea, and presenting a picture of a coming conflict.
The Japanese government’s efforts to fundamentally depart from its self-defense-only post-World War II policies, aiming to obtain cruise missiles and preemptive strike capabilities to confront escalating threats, can be interpreted as a sign of concern.
The official played off claims that cracks are appearing over China. The official stated that while G-7 countries wish to collaborate with China on shared concerns, they will “stand up” against Chinese coercion and attempts to weaken or go around international trade and commerce regulations.
The official claimed that in recent diplomatic encounters with Chinese officials, the G-7 has repeatedly emphasised to Beijing that any arms transfers to Russia for use in Ukraine would have major repercussions, as would any efforts to alter Taiwan’s status quo.
According to the source, European members now have a better awareness of how the status quo’s “roiling” effects will damage their interests, particularly their economy.
For Japan and other neighbours in the vicinity, North Korea is a major source of concern.
Pyongyang has tested about 100 missiles since last year, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that have the capability of reaching the U.S. mainland and a number of other shorter-range weapons that pose a threat to South Korea and Japan.
