G7 ready to recognise China as ‘rival’

GBNEWS24DESK//

The G7 is ready to recognise China as a “competitor” and “rival” as Japan prepares to take over the presidency of the group of nations, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said yesterday.

“Japan… repeatedly points out how important it is that we recognise that China has changed in recent years and that it is not only a partner in international issues but also a competitor and much more a rival,” Baerbock said ahead of a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in Muenster.

His comment comes as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz headed yesterday for a controversial visit to Beijing. Scholz has insisted that he will “not ignore controversies” during his trip.

A senior US diplomat told reporters on Wednesday that “what we’ve seen over the last couple of years is increasing alignment between us and Europe on the challenges posed by China”.

Recently in its Security and defence strategies, the US has announced China as the main competitor globally, saying the Asian giant is the only country that has the means to pose challenge to Washington.

But Scholz’s planned visit has nevertheless been met with scepticism from Washington.

Baerbock also said G7 will not allow Russia to inflict “starvation” on Ukrainians this winter as a result of its assault on the country.

“We will not allow the brutality of this war to lead to masses of elderly people, children, young people and families dying in the coming winter months,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said ahead of a meeting of the group’s foreign ministers in the western city of Muenster.

The club of wealthy nations are expected to affirm their support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia during the two-day meeting in Germany.

“Russia has chosen a new method of warfare by trying to let people starve, die of thirst and freeze to death,” Baerbock said.

“This is exactly what we, as G7 partners, will try to prevent with everything we have, just as we will try to prevent the other perfidious methods of Russian warfare.”

Baerbock listed generators, heaters, container housing, tents, beds and blankets as some of the items that will be part of a “winter aid package” for Ukraine.