Nation urges Asian growth push

Promotional efforts should be combined by G7 and G20 nations, foreign minister says

From left: Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, French President Francois Hollande, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, European Council President Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister David Cameron walk to a shrine in Ise-Shima, Japan, on Thursday as part of the G7 Summit. Carolyn Kaste / REUTERS

Foreign Minister Wang Yi appealed to the group of seven most industrialized nations on Thursday to work with the G20 major economies to push Asia's economic growth forward.

The appeal came as the two-day G7 summit opened in Ise-Shima, Japan.

Wang said Japan's leader should allow the G7 summit to focus on the development issues of the nations concerned rather than "doing things that are none of his business".

He was speaking at a news conference in Beijing on the 100-day countdown to the G20 summit, which will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in September.

Wang said he hoped the G7 — a forum for deliberating on the world economy — would concentrate on economic and financial issues of global concern instead of exacerbating regional tensions related to the South China Sea issue.

He added that coordination between the G20 and G7 — whose members are included in the former — is welcomed.

Whatever issues it discusses, the G7 should take an objective position instead of having double standards. It should not differentiate its allies from others and inflame regional tensions, Wang said.

He again clarified China's position on the South China Sea issue.

Wang said that China, in line with international law, intends to negotiate with the countries concerned to solve disputes by peaceful means. Supported by an increasing number of nations, China will continue to uphold its "just stance".