OPINION / OBSERVER
Intervention in maritime dispute not in interest of G7
Published: May 25, 2016 12:53 AM

Speculation about whether the G7 leaders meeting in Japan will issue a statement over the South China Sea in its declaration has diverted attention from the summit itself, which is supposed to foster global economic coordination and tackle global challenges such as fighting the Islamic State. However some elements within the group are trying to take this platform hostage to hype the South China Sea issue.

According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, the G7 leaders meeting will "express strong opposition to island construction and militarization of outposts in the South China Sea, in thinly veiled criticism against China's actions in the region." Japan, since it took on the rotating chair of the G7, has been trying to put the South China Sea disputes on the G7 agenda, aiming to expand its influence in the region and contain China. It has fallen in step with the US in internationalizing the South China Sea disputes. But their interference has only complicated the issue and ramped up tensions.

The G7 summit risks being hijacked by Japan and the US. The Financial Times reported that British Prime Minister David Cameron will "come under pressure" at Thursday's summit over "Britain's stance as China's best partner in the West." To the US and Japan, Britain moving closer to China is absolutely an obstruction.

None of the G7 members is a claimant in the South China Sea dispute. To retain its influence, the group should stick to issues that have relevance for it. Japan is anxious to present a unified stance with its G7 peers to impose open pressure on China. However, given the diverging views over how to deal with relations with China, most European countries are not willing to be held hostage by Tokyo's attitude and are refraining from overtly interfering in the South China Sea disputes.

Washington actually is the side that has created waves in the South China Sea by deploying more military resources in the region.

The G7 is already facing the dilemma of waning influence. Enhancing cooperation with China tallies with the interests of the group. It's unwise for G7 to drag itself into the South China Sea spat.