This year’s G-20 summit is about economics and not politics such as territorials disputes, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.
Speaking with reporters, Yi said China will suggest proposals for global economic growth during the summit that is scheduled to take place in early September in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
“We hope that the G-7 can be like the G-20 and concentrate on economic and development topics countries of the world are the most focused on,” Yi said.
Major world leaders, including President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend.
Before the G-20 meeting, Japan is set to host the summit of Group of Seven nations (G-7) in May. That meeting is expected to focus on Ukraine, the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, and Russia. China is not a member of the G-7.
“If certain countries, because of political aims, insert concrete issues like problems left over from history or disputes over territory or sovereignty into the G20, not only will this not benefit the issues’ resolution, it could impact upon the regional situation and stability and is inadvisable,” Yi said.
Yi did not explain further or name any country.
China and Japan disagree about the ownership of a group of small islands in the East China Sea. China is also involved in a dispute over territory in the South China Sea with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
