G7 leaders warn China against ‘interference’ as Zelenskyy reaches summit

HIROSHIMA, Japan – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Hiroshima on Sunday morning as the G7 leaders pledged to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Canada and the G7 have also reaffirmed their intention to lessen their economic dependence on China and have specifically called on the country not to engage in “interference activities.”

Trudeau and Zelenskyy hugged as they met and made brief remarks to the media.

“I just have to say it’s so good to see you,” Trudeau said, adding that the G7 supports Ukraine as strongly as Canada.

The prime minister said that good talks are also taking place with emerging economies on Ukraine.

“It’s good to see you. I want to thank you, your government, also the Canadian people for supporting us,” Zelenskyy replied.

The leaders gathered for their annual summit in Hiroshima, Japan, issued a joint statement on Saturday that included new language on foreign interference at Trudeau’s request.

He warned China that it must “act in accordance with its obligations” under the treaties governing diplomatic and consular relations, “and not engage in interfering activities designed to undermine the security of our communities, the integrity of our democratic institutions and our economy”. prosperity.”

A Canadian official said during a news conference before the document was released that Trudeau had specifically raised the issue with his counterparts in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

World leaders have faced a high-stakes balancing act in Hiroshima as they seek to address a host of global concerns that demand urgent attention, including climate change, artificial intelligence, poverty and economic instability, nuclear proliferation, and, above all, the war in Ukraine.

His statement was released ahead of schedule to accommodate an appearance by Zelenskyy, who arrived in Hiroshima on Saturday afternoon after attending the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia.

His appearance came after the G7 countries announced new sanctions on Russia on Friday.

The statement reaffirmed the nations’ support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, saying they would continue to boost the country’s efforts “for as long as necessary.”

The leaders, who met in a city once decimated by an atomic bomb, also pledged to work for a world without nuclear weapons, “with security for all without impairment.”

Amid China’s growing influence, the leaders said they plan to protect themselves by working together to counter economic coercion and oppose unfair practices.

But Trudeau and his counterparts also said in the document that they seek “constructive” relations with the world’s second-largest economy.

“Our political approaches are not designed to harm China nor do we seek to thwart China’s economic progress and development. A growing China abiding by international rules would be in the global interest,” the document says.

“At the same time, we recognize that economic resilience requires reducing risk and diversifying. We will take steps, individually and collectively, to invest in our own economic vitality. We will reduce excessive dependencies in our critical supply chains.”

Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that China itself is a victim of economic coercion.

“If any country is to be criticized for economic coercion, it should be the United States. The United States has been exaggerating the concept of national security, abusing export controls, and taking discriminatory and unfair measures against foreign companies,” Wang told a routine press briefing.

As the G7 nations aim to push the countries away from China and Russia and onto their side, Japan has invited countries from the Global South to participate in this year’s summit.

And as part of its efforts to expand its partnerships, Canada announced new investments to support people in emerging economies and developing countries.

The hundreds of millions of dollars announced will go towards addressing climate change, energy, food security and women’s issues.

Trudeau is expected to hold a news conference on Sunday after the summit concludes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 20, 2023.

– With archives from The Associated Press.