China slams 'arrogant, prejudiced' G-7 statement

By Emre Aytekin

BEIJING (AA) - China lashed out Tuesday against criticism of its policies in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the G-7 countries after a summit in Japan.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin assessed the findings of the G-7 ministers' joint statement regarding problems in Taiwan, the East and South China Seas and Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet at a regular press conference held in Beijing.

Accusing the G-7 countries of "smearing China" and "interfering in its internal affairs," Wang said "the statement reflects the group's arrogance, prejudice and conscious desire to contain and block China."

He also said that Taiwan is China's "sacred land" and that the "One-China" principle is the basis of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"Actions aimed at Taiwan's independence must be opposed in order to achieve real peace in the Taiwan Strait," he said.

Emphasizing that the problems in connection with Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet are entirely China's "internal affairs," Wang said that "no foreign power has the right to interfere, under any pretext or in any way."

Pointing out that the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea is generally stable, he said the "relevant countries should respect the efforts of the countries in the region to maintain peace and stability and stop sowing the seeds of turmoil and creating inter-camp confrontation."

The foreign ministers of the G-7 group of wealthy countries comprising the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Japan said in a joint statement earlier Tuesday after a three-day summit hosted by term president Japan that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and global security are "indispensable."

The statement also demanded that China stop using threats, coercion, intimidation and force and expressed concerns about the problems in the East and South China Seas and Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.