China fears G20 summit collapse

Beijing fears the West and its allies will use territorial disputes and trade protectionism to undermine its strategic intentions at the G20 summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. Photo: AFP

Although it hopes to consolidate its position as a world power by hosting the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Hangzhou on September 4-5, Beijing is still concerned that the West and its allies will seek to negate its efforts and role on the international stage.

Ensuring this does not happen will therefore be one of Chinese President Xi Jinping's top priorities and a marker for Beijing to judge the success of the conference, according to Reuters.

China commentator Ben Blanchard said Beijing is looking to use the summit to propose a grand strategy to boost global growth. However, the talks are likely to be overshadowed by disputes over territorial disputes and trade protectionism.

“China feels like the Americans are trying to surround them,” a senior Western envoy described talks with Chinese officials ahead of the G20.

China has recently expressed anger at the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejected its unreasonable claims in the East Sea. Beijing accused Washington of being the factor behind the lawsuit initiated by Manila.

Beijing has always insisted that it does not want the above issues to overshadow the G20 summit, an important international event attended by many heads of state and leaders around the world.

Chinese state media has hailed the event as an opportunity for China to demonstrate leadership in shaping global governance rules and to lead the way in sustainable global growth. The People’s Daily has declared that the G20 summit will be one of the most productive yet.

However, an article published in the Study Times in mid-August worried that Western countries were trying to exclude a "rising" China and deny Beijing a role in mechanisms such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Concerns about US allies

On August 25, China's State Councilor in charge of foreign affairs, Yang Jiechi, called on Japan to "play a constructive role" at the G20 summit, amid Beijing's concerns that Tokyo plans to intervene in the dispute in the East Sea.

Wang Youming, director of the developing countries program at the China Institute of International Relations, told the Global Times that as the G20 summit approaches, "Japan is increasingly trying to stir up trouble."

"Japan is intervening in the South China Sea and East China Sea issues by supporting the Philippines, or calling on China to respect the ruling of the 'so-called' Arbitral Tribunal. Japan is up to its old tricks and one cannot help but think that it is trying to mess things up," Youming accused.

Economically, China is also unhappy with Britain and Australia's doubts about Beijing's foreign investment strategy, asserting that London and Canberra's attitude is a manifestation of protectionism and paranoia.

Australia recently blocked the sale of its largest energy supply system to China for $7.7 billion, while the UK has delayed a Chinese-funded nuclear power plant project worth up to $24 billion.

Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said a growing number of Western officials are concerned about the operations of foreign businesses in China. They are publicly protesting unfair treatment of these businesses and believe that China is protecting its companies.

"One thing is for sure, China is very keen for the G20 to go smoothly. This is very important, it is a matter of national pride. But this will be a huge challenge for Beijing," said a Western diplomat.

According to VNE