G7 nations want a cohesive reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as China’s rising assertiveness and perceived danger to global peace and economic security
As the leaders of Group of Seven (G7) economies gather in Hiroshima, Japan today, i.e., Friday, May 19, 2023, they are believed to seek a unified response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the increasing assertion of China and the perceived threat it poses to the stability and economic security of a world.
The President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be attending the 3-day Summit in person. The war in Ukraine is at the top of agenda for the three-day summit, where leaders are expected to make a strong statement of unity in support of Ukraine and unveil new measures to choke off Russia’s ability to fund and supply its war.
The 3-day Summit will provide an opportunity for G7 leaders to recalibrate and coordinate their approach toward China, which has refused to condemn the invasion and instead bolstered ties with Moscow.
China, a global manufacturing hub and a huge consumer market, is an important trade partner to the G7 countries, which comprises the United States (U.S.), Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Canada and Italy. Projecting unity on China comes at a crucial moment for the US and its allies, as Beijing ramps up diplomatic efforts to repair ties with Europe.
The Prime Minister of Japan – Fumio Kishida is concerned about China’s military posture in the region and has warned that “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.” In response to growing threats from China, Japan has moved to double its military spending and is in talks to open a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) liaison office, the first of its kind in Asia and a sign of deepening ties between Western and Asian democracies.
In a move that highlighted Tokyo’s concerns, China sent a naval flotilla, led by one of its most powerful destroyers – on a 12-day circumnavigation of Japan’s main islands in a display of military power in the lead-up to the G7 Summit.
Another important theme of the Summit will be economic security, including how to counter China’s economic pressure tactics. The Summit will seek to diversify supply chains and reduce heavy reliance on China.
In an effort to expand the G7’s influence beyond the world’s biggest economies, Japan has invited leaders from a long list of developing countries, including India, Brazil, Vietnam and Indonesia, to attend the Summit as observers.
The President of South Korea – Yoon Suk Yeol will also join the gathering. Following years of disputes and a long history of acrimony with Japan, the two neighbours are now mending their ties due to growing threats from North Korea and rising concerns about China. On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, the U.S., Japan and South Korea will meet to discuss plans for the real-time sharing of intelligence, which will further deepen China’s fears of encirclement by the U.S. and its allies.
