KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP) \u2014 Top diplomats from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies vowed a tough stance on China\u2019s increasing threats to Taiwan and on North Korea\u2019s unchecked tests of long-range missiles, while building momentum on ways to boost support for Ukraine and punish Russia for its invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine consumed much of the agenda Monday for the envoys gathered in this Japanese hot spring resort town for talks meant to pave the way for action by G-7 leaders when they meet next month in Hiroshima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world is at \u201cturning point\u201d on the fighting in Ukraine and must \u201cfirmly reject unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russia\u2019s aggression against Ukraine and its threats of the use of nuclear weapons,\u201d Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his colleagues, according to a Japanese summary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the American delegation, the meeting comes at a crucial moment in the world\u2019s response to\u00a0Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine\u00a0and efforts to deal with China, two issues that G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union regard as potent challenges to the post-World War II rules-based international order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A senior U.S. official traveling with Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that the Biden administration\u2019s goal for the talks is to shore up support for Ukraine, including a major initiative on Ukraine\u2019s energy infrastructure launched at last year\u2019s G-7 gatherings in Germany, as well as to ensure the continued provision of military assistance to Kyiv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramping up punishment against Russia, particularly through economic and financial sanctions that were first threatened by the G-7 in December 2021, before the invasion, will also be a priority, the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine faces an important moment in coming weeks with Russia\u2019s current offensive largely stalled and Ukraine preparing a counteroffensive. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Blinken\u2019s priorities at the closed-door meetings, said there would be discussion about ways to deepen support for Ukraine\u2019s long-term defense and deterrence capabilities. That might also improve Kyiv\u2019s position for potential negotiations that could end the conflict on its terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of Japan \u2014 the only Asian member of the G-7 \u2014 as chairman of this year\u2019s talks provides an opportunity to discuss coordinated action on China. Leaders and foreign ministers of G-7 countries, most recently France and Germany, have recently concluded visits to China, and the diplomats in Karuizawa are expected to discuss their impressions of where the Chinese stand on numerous issues, including the war in Ukraine, North Korea, and Taiwan, which is a particular sore point in U.S.-Chinese relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a private working dinner on Sunday night that was the diplomats\u2019 first formal meeting, Hayashi urged continued dialogue with China on the many global challenges where participation from Beijing is seen as crucial. Among the Chinese interests that are intertwined with those of wealthy democracies are global trade, finance and climate efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the diplomats are also looking to address China\u2019s more aggressive stance in the region, particularly toward Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hayashi told ministers that outside nations must continue \u201cbuilding a constructive and stable relationship, while also directly expressing our concerns and calling for China to act as a responsible member of the international community,\u201d according to a summary of the closed-door dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China recently sent planes and ships to simulate an\u00a0encirclement of Taiwan. Beijing has also been rapidly adding nuclear warheads, taking a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and painting a scenario of impending confrontation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The worry in Japan can be seen it its efforts to make a major break from its self-defense-only post-World War II principles, working to acquire preemptive strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter growing threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blinken had been due to visit Beijing in February, but the trip was postponed because of a\u00a0Chinese spy balloon\u00a0incident over U.S. airspace and has yet to be rescheduled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blinken\u00a0met briefly with China\u2019s top diplomat, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Forum, but high-level contacts between Washington and Beijing have become rare. Thus, Blinken will be seeking insight from his French and German counterparts on their interactions with the Chinese, the senior U.S. official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite indications, notably comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, that the G-7 is split over China, the official said there is shared worry among G-7 nations over China\u2019s actions. The official added that the foreign ministers would be discussing how to continue a coordinated approach to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another senior State Department official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity to describe the closed-door meetings, said the G-7 would release a communique Tuesday that would make clear the group\u2019s strong unity over Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, China and the broader Indo-Pacific, particularly North Korea, the need to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and to improve relations with Pacific island nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official downplayed suggestions that fissures are emerging over China. G-7 members, the official said, want to work with China on common challenges, but will \u201cstand up\u201d against Chinese coercion and attempts to water down or circumvent international rules regarding trade and commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official said that in numerous recent diplomatic engagements with Chinese officials, G-7 members had stressed to Beijing that any supply of weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine would be met with serious consequences, as would attempts to change the status quo of Taiwan. The official said that European members now have a better understanding of how a \u201croiling\u201d of the status quo would affect their interests, notably their economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Korea is also a key area of worry for Japan and other neighbors in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since last year, Pyongyang has test-fired around 100 missiles, including\u00a0intercontinental ballistic missiles\u00a0that showed the potential of reaching the U.S. mainland and a variety of other shorter-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hayashi \u201cexpressed grave concern over North Korea\u2019s launch of ballistic missiles with an unprecedented frequency and in unprecedented manners, including the launch in the previous week, and the G-7 Foreign Ministers strongly condemned North Korea\u2019s repeated launches of ballistic missiles,\u201d according to the summary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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