The Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima this week has focused on the Ukraine crisis, as well as the growth of China and the associated rising threat to Taiwan. The discussions have incorporated a range of issues, including energy and economic security and supply chains. The attendance of nations such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia has ensured a focus on developing countries. Earlier this week, speaking at the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the creation of a system focused on food security, particularly for “marginal farmers” must be given priority, and suggested that there was a need to strengthen global “fertilizer supply chains” while curtailing “the expansionist mindset controlling fertilizer resources.” The summit has also covered artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, and climate change. It had been hoped that discussion of global health issues would also feature. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The summit concludes today.
Leaders from the G-7 summit and several Asia-Pacific countries, notably India, Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam and Australia, have gathered in Hiroshima. The focus of this year's summit is the war in the Ukraine, China's growing dominance and the threat to Taiwan, as well as the issues surrounding supply chains, economic and energy security. The G-7 release on clean energy underlined its wish to reduce dependence on China by emphasising the need to “build secure, resilient, affordable and sustainable clean energy supply chains and strong industrial bases that reduce undue strategic dependencies and benefit local workers and communities around the world." The attendance of India, a country that chairs this year’s G-20, is set to shine a light on the Global South, developing world countries that are searching for international recognition and support in terms of issues such as food and health development.
John Lee, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is reportedly planning a week-long trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to deepen ties with ASEAN nations. The delegation is set to include representatives from the financial, technology, and professional service sectors. During the trip, Lee is expected to meet with influential leaders in these countries and promote Hong Kong's bid to enter the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a free trade agreement backed by China. Hong Kong recently emerged from its pandemic-induced recession in Q1 2021.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead a delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia at the end of July to strengthen ties with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The group, comprising top officials and finance and technology representatives, will focus on deepening collaborations between the regions’ business communities in finance, technology and professional services. Hong Kong is due to enter the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free-trade deal, which connects 15 Asia-Pacific countries including ASEAN members, and Hong Kong reportedly accounts for more than 70% of its total merchandise trade.
The G7 summit in Hiroshima has ended with discussions focusing on the Ukrainian war and the dominance of China. They also focused on challenges facing developing economies, including Brazil, Vietnam, Comoros and India. Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy made headlines during his time the summit. He was present in the session on Ukraine where it was revealed he had spoken with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His itinerary for the rest of the day included visiting the Peace Memorial Park and the museum in Hiroshima to remember the atomic bombing of the city. Zelenskyy continues to make the rounds of G-7 leaders. Earlier on the second day of the summit, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the president on the margins of the summit for the first time since Russia's invasion of the Ukraine and shared images of their encounter to his Twitter page.
The final day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit has passed in Hiroshima, with delegates including Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskyy discussing the war, China’s dominance and the issues faced by the Global South. Joining the leaders were a number of key Asia-Pacific figures such as the Indian, South Korean, Indonesian and Australian prime ministers. The triennial met throughout the summit, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took some time off to visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum. President Joe Biden met with Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister for talks. The G7 laid out a common de-risking path on China, while India's Narendra Modi commented that he would “amplify concerns of the Global South” at the summit.
The Ukraine conflict was at the forefront of G7 meetings in Hiroshima, Japan, over the weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the invitees to the meetings, which discussed China's growing dominance and issues affecting the so-called "Global South." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed the need for a "resilient and diversified" approach to supply chains, while UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commented on the summit's significance for consolidating peace. Meanwhile, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for the issue of nuclear weapons to be discussed openly, and said it was "historically significant" for the G7 leaders visiting the Peace Memorial Museum to publish a focus on nuclear disarmament – known as the Hiroshima Vision. The G7 summit heralded a number of warm bilateral meetings, concluding with talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the conflict on Sunday afternoon.
