G7 removes "One China"

According to a special report from Reuters on March 14, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations took a tougher stance toward China in their statement issued last Friday in La Malbaie, Canada, expressing increased support for Taiwan and reversing some of the conciliatory language in previous statements that included the "One China" policy.

Meanwhile, in their statement, the G7 foreign ministers condemned China's policies toward Taiwan and expressed concern about China's expansion of its nuclear arsenal, its activities in the South China Sea, and its market policies.

In response to the G7 foreign ministers' statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada said they "ignored the facts and China's position, seriously interfered in China's internal affairs, and made public accusations against China."

The spokesperson added, "China firmly opposes the G7's actions that harm China's sovereignty," and that "the key to safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is adherence to the One China principle."

It is well known that the Chinese government has increased its political and military pressure on Taiwan since 2016, when the Democratic Progressive Party, which does not support the "One China" framework, returned to power in Taiwan. Some analysts raise the possibility of China occupying Taiwan by military force.

On February 13, the US State Department removed the phrase "We do not support Taiwanese independence" from its website, expressing its hope that the dispute between Taiwan and China would be resolved peacefully. Some analysts have suggested that this would make it more difficult for China to occupy Taiwan and increase the likelihood of widespread international recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign, independent state.