G-7 strongly opposes China's illegal island building in the East Sea

According to Kyodo, leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized nations have expressed “strong opposition” to illegal large-scale island building in the East Sea as part of China’s efforts to change the status quo in the East Sea by force.

Images taken by a US spy plane on May 21 show that China is still increasing its illegal land reclamation in the East Sea. (Source: WSJ)

In addition, G-7 leaders also affirmed that Beijing needs to clarify the basis of its sovereignty claims based on international law, not by threats or the use of force and coercion.

After the first day of meetings at the Schloss Elmau resort in southern Germany, Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshige Seko said the leaders also agreed that the G-7 would not lift sanctions on Russia if Moscow did not fully implement the ceasefire agreement reached in February in Minsk, Belarus.

In addition, the leaders also “strongly criticized” North Korea for continuing its nuclear and missile development program as well as human rights violations, including the abduction of Japanese citizens decades ago.

These will likely be the contents of the joint statement to be approved by G-7 leaders on June 8./

According to VNA