China summons Japan envoy over G7 summit
Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong has summoned the Japanese ambassador to register protests over "hype around China-related issues" at the Group of Seven (G7) summit over the weekend. Sun said Japan collaborated with the other countries at the G7 summit in the Japanese city of Hiroshima "in activities and joint declarations... to smear and attack China, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, violating the basic principles of international law and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan," referring to the China-Japan Joint Statement of 1972. He said Japan's actions were detrimental to China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and that Beijing is "strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes" them. "Japan should correct its understanding of China, grasp strategic autonomy, adhere to the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan, and truly promote the stable development of bilateral relations with a constructive attitude," Sun said. Hideo Tarumi, Japanese ambassador to China, rebutted that it is "natural" for the G7 to refer to issues of common concern as it has done in the past and will continue to do so in the future as long as China does not change its behaviour, according to a readout. The G7 expressed concern about tensions in East and South China Seas as well as the human rights situation in China. (Reuters)