G7’s FMs express concern over China’s military buildup
Representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union called on Beijing to “demonstrate its commitment to stability through improved transparency,” according to a joint statement issued following their meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
“We reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law,” the statement said, emphasizing “strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in particular by force or coercion, including in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.”
Highlighting “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the ministers reiterated their opposition to “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion,” and urged “the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through constructive dialogue.” They also expressed backing for “Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.”
The G7 ministers “strongly condemned” North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving its “complete denuclearization.” They also voiced “grave concern” over Pyongyang’s alleged involvement in cryptocurrency thefts and urged progress on resolving the issue of abductions.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed “serious concern” regarding China’s export controls on rare earth materials, underscoring the need for “a Free and Open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law” and reaffirming “Japan's stance of standing with Ukraine.”
Motegi also called for enhanced collaboration among the G7 and other “like-minded countries” to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals, stressing the importance of balancing both supply and demand in the effort to ensure stability.
The two-day meeting, attended by the foreign ministers of the G7 nations along with the EU foreign policy chief, concluded on Wednesday.
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