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President Xi, Putin (archive image): "Resolute resistance"

Photo: Vyacheslav Oseledko / AFP

The People's Republic of China expresses "strong dissatisfaction" with a joint statement by the G7 countries. In response to the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, where accusations were made against Beijing over human rights and geopolitical issues, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said: "The G7 is discrediting and attacking China." Beijing has expressed its "resolute resistance" in several notes of protest, including to the summit host Japan.

The Chinese embassy in Japan wrote that the G7 summit had instigated a bloc policy. The group must stop spreading confrontation and division.

At their summit, the G7 had found it difficult to express a common stance on China due to differing interests. The G7 countries ultimately offered Beijing cooperation, for example on climate protection and "stable relations", but warned the heavily arming People's Republic against "militarization activities" in the Asia-Pacific region and demanded pressure from Beijing on Moscow to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed dissatisfaction with the results of the summit. He said the G7 decisions were aimed at "restraining" Russia and China.

The G7 countries had declared their "unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes". "Diplomatic, financial, humanitarian and military support" to the country attacked by Russia should be stepped up. At the same time, the G7 countries want to close gaps in sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had made a surprise personal appearance at the summit to promote the establishment of a "fighter jet coalition" that he is striving for.

According to U.S. government circles, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima that he would support joint allied training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Experts see this as a first step towards delivering the jets to the Ukrainian armed forces.

ssu/AFP