Beijing, China – May 20: China announced on Friday that it will not participate in the upcoming G20 Tourism Working Group meeting scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir, citing strong opposition to organizing such events in the region, which it considers a “disputed territory.” The meeting, under the presidency of India, is set to take place in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, from May 22-24.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated during a regular press conference that China firmly opposes holding any form of G20 meetings in disputed territories and, as a result, will not attend. This move comes as China’s close ally, Pakistan, continues to maintain strained relations with India due to ongoing cross-border terrorism concerns.
The tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir has been instrumental in the region’s development, although instability over the years has adversely affected visitor numbers. Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir believe that hosting the G20 meeting could attract international investors and tourists, fostering growth in the sector.
India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, and will hold the position for one year. The G20 summit in Jammu and Kashmir holds the potential to bring transformative outcomes, paving the way for stability, economic growth, and social development in the region.
Meanwhile, during the press conference, Wang Wenbin addressed the ongoing G7 Summit in Hiroshima, where US President Joe Biden visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. He criticized Japan for presenting itself as an advocate for a nuclear-weapons-free world while benefiting from the US’s nuclear umbrella. Wenbin urged Japan to adopt a more consistent stance on the issue, accusing it of hindering the US’s renouncement of nuclear weapons.
The G7 Summit, currently being held in Japan, brings together leaders from member states including France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Union. As the G7 Presidency for 2023, Japan has invited leaders from additional countries such as Australia, Brazil, Comoros, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Vietnam to participate in this year’s summit.
