The G7 top diplomats arrive in Karuizawa, Japan, on Sunday for discussions that will be overshadowed by two nations China and Ukraine. China’s increasing pressure on Taiwan and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
There will be no shortage of diplomatic and security issues to debate, but recent regional events are likely to focus attention on Asia.
The summit comes only days after China ended huge military drills around self-ruled Taiwan. And on Sunday, Beijing barred ships from entering an area north of the island.
North Korea launched what it claimed was a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday. The latest in a series of nerve-wracking tests.
As this year’s host, Tokyo is keen to ensure that regional concerns are prioritized. And will state unequivocally that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine further heightens the need for Asia to remain vigilant.
Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has repeatedly warned that “Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow”. As his government has revised defence policy and spending in the wake of expanding Chinese dominance.
“Japan’s basic position… on Ukraine is that European and Indo-Pacific security cannot be discussed separately.” A Japanese government official said before of the meetings.
“They are intertwined with each other.”
Moreover, the G7 has repeatedly warned China against attempting to grab Taiwan, and individual members have recently raised the alarm.
“A military escalation in the Taiwan Strait… would be a horror scenario for the entire world.” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Beijing on Friday.
However, following recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, there will be fresh emphasis on the grouping’s language.
His insistence, following a visit to Beijing. That Europe avoid “crises that aren’t ours” has aroused eyebrows and ire among Paris’ allies while pleasing Chinese officials.
Most observers expect the group to reaffirm prior positions warning China against “changing the status quo by force.” Paris has attempted to soften the reaction, insisting that France’s views have not altered.
