Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin Photo: mfa.gov.cn

China urged G7 to manage their own affairs, and stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under any pretext or in any name after the foreign ministers of the bloc interfered with China's internal affairs, including the Taiwan question and South China Sea issues.

After a two-day meeting in Tokyo, G7 foreign ministers came out with a joint statement, in which they urged China to address its non-market policies, not to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, to keep the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and to allow a high level of autonomy for Hong Kong.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Friday that China firmly opposes the G7's actions in undermining China's sovereignty and interfering in China's internal affairs.

The South China Sea arbitration case initiated by the Philippines is essentially a territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation issue, which is not within the scope of adjustment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. And the relevant ruling is illegal, invalid, and has no binding force, Wang said.

The G7's use of the case to provoke confrontation, which goes against regional countries' hope to maintain regional peace and stability, Wang said. 

Wang further noted that the key to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits lies in adhering to the one-China principle. The biggest threat to peace in the Taiwan Straits at present comes from the stubborn adherence of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities to the "Taiwan independence" separatist position and the indulgence and support of external forces. 

Since all G7 countries have promised to adhere to the one-China policy, they should keep their word and fully implement their commitment to one China, Wang said. 

Moreover, issues related to Xinjiang, Xizang, and Hong Kong are all internal affairs of China and should not be interfered with by external forces. Wang said that how democratic and human rights conditions are in various countries is ultimately determined by the people of those countries, and the eyes of the people of the world are sharp. 

"We urge the G7 to abide by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as the basic norms of international relations, manage their own affairs, and stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under any pretext or in any name," Wang added.

In response to G7 foreign ministers' remarks on proposed establishing a constructive and stable relationship with China that does not impede China's economic progress and development, Wang said that he hoped that G7 member countries would truly implement the above statement and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations with China on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

We firmly reject the G7's unfounded accusations against China of distorting the global economy and engaging in "economic coercion," as well as its comprehensive suppression of specific companies by listing over 10,000 entities and individuals for sanctions and using national power to politicize and weaponize economic and trade issues, the spokesperson said. 

Wang emphasized that it was the actions of G7 member countries that were impacting the stability of the international industrial and supply chains. 

Global Times