Reject power politics, decoupling, protectionism: China tells G-20

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Thursday called on the top 20 global economies to reject decoupling, protectionism, and power politics.

In his four-point proposal to G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in India, China’s top diplomat Qin Gang called for “efforts to promote the sound development of globalization and strengthen multilateralism.”

Urging the G-20 nations to uphold the UN-centered international system and order, Qin said all the nations should adhere to the cooperation principle of equal dialogue and consensus through consultation.

“Reject power politics and bloc confrontation,” Qin told the summit, his first major multilateral participation since being appointed as China’s foreign minister last December.

Urging efforts against unilateralism, decoupling, and protectionism, Qin said the G-20 nations should take steps to “stabilize supply chain,” Chinese state media reported.

Calling on the G-20 nations to “work together,” Qin stressed “more inclusive and more resilient global development.”

The G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting began on Wednesday evening with a reception in the Indian capital New Delhi.

It is the second meeting since India assumed the G-20 presidency on Dec. 1 last year.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs officials say over 40 delegations, including G-20 countries, guest countries, and international organizations, are attending the meeting, which is “one of the largest gatherings of foreign ministers hosted by any G-20 presidency.”

Foreign ministers from Türkiye, Russia, China, and the US, among others, are attending the summit.

The G-20 is a strategic multilateral platform that connects the world's major developed and emerging economies, which account for more than 80% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and 60% of the world population.

In December last year, India commenced its year-long presidency of the G-20, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledging that the South Asian nation would present “experiences, learning, and models as possible templates for others, particularly the developing world.”