The Chinese government has accused the wealthy industrial democracies in the G7 of “smearing China” and trying to “(interfere) in the internal affairs of other countries”.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman expressed the unusually harsh reaction on Saturday to the ongoing G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
The Chinese spokesman was reacting to the tougher stance that the G7 countries had taken towards China at their summit, at which leaders have discussed reducing economic dependency on the major power and limiting supply chain risks.
In a statement, the G7 also rejected China’s territorial claims in the East and South China Seas and warned against military action against democratic Taiwan.
The spokesman accused the G7 countries of “disregarding China’s serious concerns” and pursuing policies that will “hinder international peace, damage regional stability and suppress the development of other countries”.
China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and has protested to Japan, which is hosting the G7, as well as the countries concerned.
The spokesman described the G7 as a small group seeking to impose rules on the world that “serve the vested interests” of the United States and a handful of its allies.
In addition to the US, the G7 also includes Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Canada as well as the European Union.
Australian Associated Press