Beijing: China on Thursday dismissed the accusations made by the foreign ministers of the G7 countries, urging the group to cease "stirring up disputes, heightening tensions, and undermining regional peace under the pretext of maritime issues." Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian addressed reporters in Beijing, asserting that the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea remains stable.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lin criticized the G7's remarks on China, stating that they "once again ignored facts, distorted right and wrong, and deliberately smeared China while grossly interfering in China's internal affairs." He emphasized China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the statements made by the G7.
The G7 foreign ministers expressed concern over China's military activities and its expanding nuclear arsenal. Representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the US, and the EU called on China to demonstrate its commitment to stability through enhanced transparency, as noted in a joint statement issued after their meeting in Ontario, Canada.
The statement reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region grounded in the rule of law. The ministers conveyed strong opposition to any unilateral efforts to alter the status quo, particularly by force or coercion, in areas such as the East China Sea and the South China Sea. They also emphasized the significance of maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait and advocated for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through dialogue.
The group expressed support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations. Addressing the Ukraine conflict, Lin stated that China has been transparent, denying any provision of lethal weapons to parties involved and maintaining strict control over dual-use items. He rejected attempts by the G7 to blame or label China in this context.
Lin concluded by reiterating that the Taiwan issue is an internal matter for China and should be resolved by the Chinese people, without external interference. The G7 meeting took place over two days, involving foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU foreign policy chief.