“There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization activities in the region,” the G7 leaders said in a communiqué issued yesterday during their three-day summit here, the first time in Asia in seven years. China’s claims cover almost the entire South China Sea. Interestingly, China has a similar territorial dispute with Japan, over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. CooperationDespite their position on the South China Sea, the G7 leaders said they “stand prepared to build constructive and stable relations with China, recognizing the importance of engaging candidly with and expressing our concerns directly to China.”“We act in our national interest. “Our policy approaches are not designed to harm China nor do we seek to thwart China’s economic progress and development.

Source: Philippine Star May 21, 2023 07:01 UTC