G7 summit: China says small groups do not rule the worldon June 13, 2021 at 7:47 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The G7 leaders, who are meeting in England, have sought a unified position over China’s rise.

G7 leaders at a meeting in Cornwall

image copyrightAFP

China has warned the G7 leaders that the days when a “small” group of countries decided the fate of the world were long gone.

The comments, by a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in London, come as the leaders, who are meeting in England, seek a unified position over China.

They adopted a spending plan in response to a massive Chinese scheme.

Analysts say US President Joe Biden is determined that Western powers need to act now to counter a resurgent China.

On Sunday, the G7 leaders are expected to issue a closing declaration promising more financial support for developing countries hit by the climate crisis, and funds for infrastructure projects in the developing world, an alternative to a Chinese programme.

President Biden said he wanted the US-backed Build Back Better World (B3W) plan to be a higher-quality alternative to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The scheme has helped finance trains, roads, and ports in many countries, but has been criticised for saddling some with debt.

A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in London was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: “The days when global decisions were dictated by a small group of countries are long gone.

In a statement on Saturday, the G7 countries – the world’s seven wealthiest democracies – said their infrastructure plan would offer a “values-driven, high-standard and transparent” partnership. Details of how it will be financed remain unclear.

BBC political correspondent Rob Watson, at the summit, says that President Biden is trying to frame the post-pandemic world as a struggle between democracies and autocracies.

But there appears to be no consensus yet among the G7 nations over whether China is a partner, a competitor or a security threat, our correspondent adds.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Afghanistan: Foreign Office chaotic during Kabul evacuation – whistlebloweron December 7, 2021 at 2:23 am

Thousands of pleas for help went unread and the foreign secretary lacked urgency, an ex-official says.Thousands of pleas for help went unread and the...

School inspections will continue, Ofsted boss sayson March 24, 2023 at 1:05 am

Unions urged a pause after a head killed herself while awaiting a report that downgraded her school.Image source, KATE MCGOUGH/BBCBy Vanessa ClarkeEducation reporterStopping or...

Police to probe death of child in Birmingham Children’s Hospitalon May 23, 2022 at 5:41 am

Birmingham Children's Hospital confirms a member of staff has been suspended in relation to the death.Image source, Getty ImagesA hospital worker has been suspended...

Boris Johnson resigns: First leadership bids to become next prime ministeron July 8, 2022 at 2:03 am

Some Tory MPs are launching their leadership bids to become PM - with ex-soldier Tom Tugendhat the latest to put his name forward.Image source,...

Charter Communications Q1 results come up short of expectations

Charter Communications Inc. CHTR, +3.83% reported first-quarter results that came up short of expectations, as the COVID-19 pandemic led to advertising cancellations and higher customer service costs....