China has declared that it will not participate in the upcoming G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital, Srinagar, due to its status as a disputed territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made this announcement during a press conference on Friday. He stated that China opposes holding any form of G20 meetings on disputed territories and will not attend such meetings. The decision came in response to reports suggesting that China would boycott the G20 meeting on tourism scheduled for the following week.
The G20 tourism working group meeting is scheduled to take place in Jammu and Kashmir from May 22-24, preceding the G20 summit in New Delhi in September. Wang also commented on reports regarding the G7 summit’s focus on “de-risking” rather than “decoupling” from China. He highlighted the importance of understanding the sources and nature of risks before discussing “de-risking.”
In a thinly veiled reference to the United States, Wang criticized certain countries for engaging in hegemonic acts, military invasions of vulnerable nations, undermining market economy principles and international trade rules, and promoting divisive narratives of “democracy versus authoritarianism.” He emphasized that China does not pose any of these risks, but instead contributes to the world by offering opportunities, stability, and assurance through peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up. Wang further highlighted China’s significant role in global economic growth over the past decade, surpassing the combined contributions of G7 members.
China’s decision to skip the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir reflects its stance on disputed territories and raises concerns about the implications for regional diplomacy and cooperation. The absence of China, a major global player, from the G20 discussions in Srinagar could impact the dynamics and outcomes of the meeting.