London: China on Sunday lambasted G7 unified position on Beijing, saying that the days when a “small” group of countries decided the fate of the world were long gone. The comments were made by a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in London. The spokesman was quoted by an international news agency as saying: “We always believe that countries, big or small, strong or weak, poor or rich, are equals, and that world affairs should be handled through consultation by all countries”, reported The News International.
In its strongest rebuke of China, the G7 called for a fresh investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and urged China to “respect human rights and fundamental freedoms” in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. The Group of 7 leaders ended talks in Cornwall, on the southwest coast of England, with direct and indirect references to China, highlighting the need to support democratic societies and to strengthen supply chains and support development in crucial technologies. They supported a new investigation into the origins of COVID-19, which was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, reported The News International.