On May 5, the Group of Seven (G19) Leaders' Summit (hereinafter referred to as the G7 Summit) opened in Hiroshima, Japan, which was also the site of the atomic bombing during World War II. Experts interviewed pointed out that from the location and schedule of the G7 summit, we can see Japan's "small calculation".
Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of the China Institute of International Studies
On the one hand, Japan wants to present itself as a "victim of nuclear war" in order to occupy the moral high ground on the so-called (anti-nuclear) denuclearization issue. In fact, it is also recently that Japan is intensifying its desire to extend its "nuclear umbrella" further and consolidate it in Northeast Asia. I think that Japan's very speculative approach will actually let the international community, especially neighboring countries, understand through more and more examples that Japan wants to save face and take advantage, and at the same time wants to use some so-called space for changes in relations between major countries to make a living for itself and seek benefits for itself.
Experts said that Japan at this summit continues to manipulate nuclear issues and emphasizes the creation of a "world without nuclear weapons", but the actual practice is not the same, reflecting Japan's self-contradictory psychology.
Liu Jiangyong, Professor of the Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Tsinghua University, China
This time President Biden went to Hiroshima, and he actually carried some specific devices of nuclear weapons specially used by the president, which can be said to be a very regrettable thing in the eyes of the people of Hiroshima. Many Japanese people feel very strange and unhappy with advocating the denuclearization of the world, and bringing to Hiroshima this symbolic device, which could lead to nuclear war or the use of nuclear weapons. The United States is the world's largest nuclear power, but Japan relishes this "nuclear umbrella" of the United States. Therefore, saying one thing, doing one thing, doing one thing for others, and one thing for oneself, such a contradictory nuclear policy and demands that are difficult to self-inconsistent will make many countries in the world feel suspicious.
According to reports, the G7 summit issued a joint statement and other documents, hyped up China-related issues, talked about the situation in the Taiwan Strait, and alluded to China with so-called "economic coercion", and the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to this. Experts point out that the so-called "economic coercion" is not only untrue, but also makes people feel that the thief cries out to catch the thief.
Liu Jiangyong, Professor of the Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Tsinghua University, China
This kind of artificial, political, and ideological interference with the world economy, market economy and globalization process, in fact, I think it must harm their own interests, but they are not willing to put this hat on China's head, I think this is not only not in line with the facts, but can only make people feel that the thief cries out to catch the thief.
Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of the China Institute of International Studies
The so-called crime of "economic coercion" is actually the most handy in the United States. From the previous "long-arm jurisdiction" against some Japanese and European companies, to the recent period of a rough suppression and containment of Chinese technology, Chinese enterprises, and Chinese investment, the United States is well versed in its ways. The main purpose of the United States now placing this charge on China is to divert its internal contradictions and ease the contradictions within the Western bloc due to differences of interest. At the same time, there is also a purpose to strengthen its control over other Western countries by fabricating charges with China, especially through the reorganization of supply chain industrial chains, to further consolidate the dominance of the United States within the Western bloc and even in the world.
In addition to member states, Japan invited India, Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, the Cook Islands, Comoros, Brazil and Vietnam to participate in the enlarged meeting. Experts said that the summit looks huge, but in fact, the gap between member states is becoming more and more obvious, especially on the issue of China, there are still differences, and it is difficult to reach a real consensus.
Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of the China Institute of International Studies
It is easier to reach consensus on the agenda of this G7 summit, firstly, (additional) specific sanctions against Russia, and secondly, on the issue of support for Ukraine, military assistance, including financial assistance, will still be the (main) outcome of this G7 summit. When it comes to China, including the so-called opposition to China's "economic coercion" and the so-called security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, including the situation in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, I think there are still relatively obvious differences within the G7 (bloc) on this issue. Therefore, at most, it is necessary to reach some superficial relative consensus, and in terms of specific actions, I think it is difficult for all parties to go deeper.
Reporter Lang Jiahui reported from Beijing
Responsible Editor: [Luo Pan]