G7 agrees on need to send strong message on East Sea issue

G7 leaders agreed they needed to send a strong message about maritime disputes in the western Pacific, where China has become increasingly assertive.

EU leaders and G7 countries take souvenir photos in Japan. Photo: Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led the discussion on the current situation in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. "Other G7 leaders said the G7 needs to send a clear signal," Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshige Seko told reporters today after a foreign policy session, according to Reuters.

Leaders of countries and governments of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and host country Japan are attending the summit of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations held in Ise-Shima, Mie Prefecture, about 300 km southwest of Tokyo.

At a press conference yesterday, Mr. Abe said Japan welcomed China's peaceful rise, while reiterating Tokyo's opposition to acts that try to change the status quo by force and calling for respect for the rule of law, principles that are expected to be mentioned in a statement after the summit.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing that the South China Sea issue "has nothing to do" with the G7 or any of its members. China "firmly opposes countries hyping up" the South China Sea issue for personal gain, she said.

US President Barack Obama yesterday called on China to resolve maritime disputes peacefully and reiterated that the US is simply concerned about freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.

According to VNE