G-7 turns eye on security issues, with sights set on China

WHILE originally conceived in the 1970s to track developments in the world economy, the G-7's UK-hosted events this year bring to the fore its often-under-appreciated importance as an international security lynchpin.

This was highlighted in the recent G-7 foreign ministers' meeting in London, which also included Australian, Indian and South Korean counterparts, where international security issues framed the agenda. The group called out the significant Russian troop build-up on Ukraine's border; agreed on tough, further measures on Myanmar if the military there refuses to change course; committed to future support for the Afghan government, conditional on progress on the peace process; and issued fresh condemnation of alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China is seen as the standout challenge, and the G-7 foreign ministers' communique agreed on the need to improve resilience to the nation's "arbitrary, coercive policies and practices".

The single biggest initiative being discussed is a US-led plan for the West to try to coordinate an alternative infrastructure plan to rival China's massive "Belt and Road Initiative". Beijing's influence in key countries across the world has grown since the launch of the economic project, which hence has become a geopolitical concern.