British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called China the “biggest challenge” to global security and prosperity, stressing the need to “reduce the risks” associated with Beijing’s policies.
“China represents the greatest challenge of our time to global security and prosperity. They show growing authoritarianism at home and assertiveness abroad,” Sunak said at a press conference following the conclusion of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, today, Sunday.
Sunak emphasized that it was about “risk reduction, not decoupling.”
He continued: “We will work together as the industrialized countries of the G7 and other countries confirm that we can get rid of the risks and supply chain shortcomings that we have seen in China and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from hostile investments and do it in a way that does not harm each other.”
The G-7 leaders, in a joint statement on Saturday, urged China to put pressure on Russia to end its military operation in Ukraine, while emphasizing that they do not want to harm China and seek a “constructive and stable relationship” with Beijing.
In another statement, Sunak said, “We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes because their security is our security.”
“We support Ukraine in building the aviation it needs in the future, and this summer the UK will begin training Ukrainian pilots,” he said.
Sunak noted that G7 leaders are leaving Hiroshima “more united than ever,” insisting that “any peace settlement must be on Ukraine’s terms.”
Yesterday, Saturday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko warned the West against providing combat aircraft to Ukraine, stressing that the West’s efforts “carry huge risks for it.”
Source: agencies + British media