G7 will stand up to ‘any coercion’ from China – senior US official

Group of Seven nations concur on the need to oppose any Chinese “coercion” or efforts to exert control in the Taiwan Strait, a senior U.S. State Department official stated on Monday, amidst rising tensions surrounding Taiwan.

G7 foreign ministers met in the Japanese resort town of Karuizawa to discuss what they perceive to be China’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region as a whole.

“The message is the same across the G7: we want to work with China in areas where China is willing to work with us,” a senior State Department official told reporters in a conference call.

“We will vigorously oppose any coercion, market manipulation, or attempts to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait,” the official added.

The G7 ministers are eager to present a united front, particularly in light of recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron that were perceived in some Western capitals as being too weak towards China and prompted a backlash.

After visiting China this month, Macron cautioned against being sucked into a Taiwan crisis fueled by “American rhythm and Chinese overreaction.”

As the only Asian member of the G7, Japan has been gravely concerned about the possibility of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory and has not renounced the use of force to acquire the democratically governed island. President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen asserts that only the people of the island can determine their future.

After a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi stated, “The peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait has an obvious effect on our country, but it is also a crucial factor for the safety and security of the international community as a whole.”

Hayashi also informed reporters that French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed “deep feelings” regarding the status quo and the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

‘OWN RULES’
Japan reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong conducted air operations between April 10 and 16 using jet fighters and helicopters. Last week, China’s navy conducted combat training around Taiwan, according to state-run media.

Russia has recently conducted naval exercises with its Pacific Fleet, prompting criticism from Tokyo.

China is increasingly attempting to replace international standards with “its own rules,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Monday on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

Baerbock conferred with her Chinese counterpart in Beijing last week.

The G7 consists of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, and Italy in addition to Canada.

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, “hopes and believes” Germany will support China’s “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry on Saturday.