Seoul: Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries on Wednesday expressed concern over China’s military buildup and a ‘rapid increase’ in its nuclear arsenal. The top diplomats from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the US, and the EU urged Beijing to ‘demonstrate its commitment to stability through improved transparency,’ according to a joint statement issued after a meeting in Ontario, Canada.
According to Anadolu Agency, the statement emphasized the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, grounded in the rule of law. The foreign ministers expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo, particularly through force or coercion, in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
The group underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposing any attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and advocating for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through constructive dialogue. Furthermore, they expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.
The foreign ministers condemned North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed their commitment to its complete denuclearization. They also voiced grave concern over Pyongyang’s cryptocurrency thefts and called for a swift resolution to the issue of abductions.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed serious concern over China’s export control measures on rare earths. He emphasized the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and Japan’s stance of standing with Ukraine. Motegi highlighted the need for stable supplies of critical minerals like rare earths through cooperation among the G7 and other like-minded countries, urging stronger efforts on both demand and supply sides.
The G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, along with the EU foreign policy chief, met on Tuesday and Wednesday.