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China Wants Successful G20 Summit, But Suspects Western Agenda

China Wants Successful G20 Summit, But Suspects Western Agenda
China Wants Successful G20 Summit, But Suspects Western Agenda

China is hoping to cement its standing as a global power when it hosts leaders from the world’s biggest economies this weekend, but suspects the West and its allies will try to deny Beijing what it sees as its rightful place on the international stage.

Ensuring that this does not happen will be one of President Xi Jinping’s priorities, and a key mark of how successful China will judge the G20 summit to be, Reuters reported.

Beijing wants to use the Sept 4-5 meeting in the tourist hub of Hangzhou to lay out a broad strategy for global growth, but talks are likely to be overshadowed by arguments over everything from territorial disputes to protectionism, diplomats said.

“From where China sits, it looks like the Americans are trying to encircle them,” said a senior western envoy, describing conversations with Chinese officials ahead of G20 as being dominated by the South China Sea row and an advanced US anti-missile system to be deployed in South Korea.

In recent months, China has been incensed by a ruling against its claims in the South China Sea by an international court, a case initiated by Manila but blamed by Beijing on Washington.

While China wants to make sure its highest profile event of the year goes off successfully, Xi will be under pressure at home to ensure he is strong in the face of challenges to his authority on issues like the South China Sea, going by reports in the state media.

China has already made clear it does not want such matters overshadowing the meeting, which will be attended by US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and other world leaders.

State media has given great play to the idea that G20 is for China to show leadership in shaping global governance rules and forging ahead with sustainable global growth, with the official People’s Daily saying this could be one of the G20’s most fruitful ever get-togethers.

Financialtribune.com