G7 expression of concern over South China Sea reflects its desire to stay relevant: experts

By devoting part of a summit declaration to alleged tensions on the East and South China Seas, the Group of Seven (G7) is actually seeking to reinforce its waning influence on the world stage, experts said.

The paragraphs on the East and South China Seas came as a result of forceful push by Japan and the United States, both of which want to use occasions such as the G7 summit to exert pressure on China, said Ruan Zongze, vice president of China Institute of International Studies.

Members of the G7 countries are all developed economies but their influence in the economic arena has been on the decline, and by voicing "concern" over the South China Sea, the group intends to lift its global profile, Ruan added.

The G7 said in the declaration that it opposes "any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo" on the East and South China Seas.

The position could be viewed as targeting China, but it could also be against Japan and the United States," said Gu Xuewu, director of Center for Global Studies at the University of Bonn.

Japan's move to "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands and the United States' planned deployment of warships in areas within 12 nautical miles from islands claimed by China are both unilateral actions, Gu said. Endi