Q: According to reports, the Group of Seven (G7) Hiroshima Summit will issue a statement to accuse China of unilaterally changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and carrying out “economic coercion”, and advocate “de-risking” with China to secure a resilient supply chain. Do you have any comment on this?

A: I have noted related reports. If true, it will be another example of  groundless and malicious slander and defamation against China by the G7 under the leadership of the US. These accusations are simply untenable.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. This is the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, the US has taken tricks to obscure and hollow out the one-China principle, challenging China's bottom line on the Taiwan question, strengthening official exchanges with Taiwan, advocating so-called “defending Taiwan”, which have sent wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatists. In the meantime, the US attempts to internationalize the Taiwan question by wooing its allies in small cliques, such as the G7, to play with fire on the Taiwan question. In Taiwan, since taking office, Tsai Ing-wen has refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle, and sought to push for “incremental independence” under various pretenses. This has put cross-Strait relations in serious difficulty. Who is undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and changing the status quo? Facts speak for themselves.

The false accusation that China exercises so-called “economic coercion” is even more hilarious. China develops friendly and cooperative relations with all countries, and adheres to the principle of equality and mutual respect. China never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs, never imposes its own will on others, never attaches any political conditions to cooperation, and never puts political interests over mutual benefits. On the contrary, certain country has instrumentalized and weaponized trade and the US dollar, wantonly wielding the big stick of sanctions. According to incomplete statistics, the US has imposed unilateral economic sanctions on nearly 40 countries in the world, making their people suffer deeply. In comparison, China can by no means be labeled as “economic coercion”.

At present, global economy faces the risk of division and recession. With rising uncertainties, countries need to cooperate to create new opportunities and momentum for growth. Decoupling from China in the name of “de-risking” is decoupling from opportunities, cooperation, stability, and development. Take the State of New York as an example, in 2022, the total trade volume between China and the State of New York reached 27.28 billion US dollars, witnessing an increase of 4.5 percent year-on-year. China  is the largest source of imports of the state. Chinese goods have delivered convenience and real benefits to the people of New York. Facts have proven that with an increasingly intertwined global economy, decoupling from China can not make supply chain more resilient. Only by forging cooperation and mutual trust can we show resilience against risks.

In the face of risks and challenges, the G7 countries should shoulder their responsibilities as developed countries. The G7 should not become an “anti-China club” or even a political tool for interference in internal affairs and suppression against developing countries. We call on the G7, together with the overwhelming majority of countries in the world, to oppose man-made division and bloc rivalry, speak more for win-win cooperation, and make due contributions to global development.