G-7 Opposes S. China Sea Reclamation, Urges Ukraine Ceasefire

Munich (PNA/Kyodo) — Group of Seven leaders on Monday strongly opposed “large scale land reclamation” in the South China Sea and called for full implementation of a ceasefire in Ukraine, taking aim at attempts by China and Russia to change the status quo by force.

“We strongly oppose the use of intimidation, coercion or force, as well as any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo, such as large scale land reclamation,” the leaders said in a declaration issued after a two-day summit at Schloss Elmau, a resort in the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany.

The document fell short of singling out China, but the wording was an apparent reference to Beijing’s muscle-flexing in asserting territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines and Vietnam are among other claimant states. (PNA/Kyodo) FFC/PJN