G7 2021 Cornwall, leader agreement: “Hard line with China”

G7 leaders agree to take a tougher line against China. In a passage of the final declaration, the draft of which was reviewed by the DPA, the G7 pledges to address Beijing on unfair trading practices, human rights issues and repression of the opposition in Hong Kong. At the same time, the declaration underlines a common interest in cooperation with China regarding global challenges such as the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity. It is the first time that G7 leaders have voiced their criticisms of the world’s second largest economy in a final statement so explicitly. Read also According to the draft, with regard to China, the G7 will seek to “continue to consult on collective approaches to manage non-market policies and practices that undermine the fair and transparent functioning of the global economy”. Furthermore, reference is made to the promotion “of our values, including by inviting China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular in relation to Xinjiang and those rights, freedoms and high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong enshrined in the Joint Declaration of China. -British “.