China says G7 nations not invited to Belt & Road Forum, denies Western media claims

China has countered Western media claims that some European countries have refused participation in this year’s Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, insisting that they were not invited in the first place.

Beijing has not invited the leaders of some developed nations mentioned in Western media reports, so the conclusion that they were "avoiding participation" does not hold, China’s state-run newspaper Global Times reported on Saturday, citing an unidentified source.

It noted, however, that Beijing remains open to their attendance if they wish to join the summit.

The report further pointed out that most of the leaders invited this year were from developing nations.

Xi says China to consider holding Belt & Road Forum next year

Chinese President Xi Jinping says China would consider hosting the third Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023.

The latest development comes as the US-based daily Wall Street Journal claimed in report last month that the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and some other European countries are shunning the Belt and Road Forum, which is to be held in October.

The Chinese Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation initiative has been presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping as the revival of the ancient Silk Road for trade between the East and West.

Prior to the imposition of a COVID travel ban in China, the earlier Belt & Road Forums were held in 2017 and 2019, and drew leaders and officials from dozens of countries. 

More than 150 countries, including Russia, have signed up to take part in Belt and Road in the decade since Xi unveiled it, most of them in Africa.

China demands US compliance with WTO

Meanwhile, China has called on the United States to abide by the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and fulfill its commitments, as the world's largest economy and the main founder and important beneficiary of the multilateral trading system.

In a report released on Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce voiced concerns over US policy measures that undermine the multilateral trading system, implement unilateral trade bullying, manipulate double standards in industrial policies, and disrupt global industrial and supply chains.

Xi: China to open its door even wider to world in new era

Chinese President Xi Jinping, the newly-elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s Central Committee, has outlined his reform-oriented plans for the promotion of the vast Asian country, saying China will open its door wider to the rest of the world in the new era.

Beijing further called on Washington to make its due contribution and promote the multilateral trading system to play a greater role in global governance.

According to the report, the US is the member with the largest number of dispute settlements initiated by other WTO members.

"Since 2017, the US has blocked appointments of new Appellate Body members on the grounds of institutional issues, which led to the 'paralysis' of the Appellate Body," it said.

The report went on to say that the US has long used "national security," "human rights" and "forced technology transfer" as excuses to take unilateral measures against other WTO members, impose tariffs arbitrarily and abuse trade remedies.

By levying its advantages in the economic and trade field, the US coerces other members to obey its foreign policy and unreasonable demands, all of which amount to it being a "perpetrator of unilateralist bullying," it added.

The report further noted that the US has implemented exclusive and discriminatory subsidy policies on a large scale, whereas it uses export controls and other means to restrict the industrial development of other members, which makes it "a manipulator of double standards in industrial policies.

Commenting on the report, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said key members of the WTO should play an exemplary role and promote the strengthening of solidarity and cooperation among all parties to jointly safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system.

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