G-20: China has the option to be a “spoiler” to the Summit, remarks the US
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: True to its customary behavior to grab headlines, China is blowing hot and cold on the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit India is hosting in the national capital on September 9 and 10.
While President Xi Jinping is not attending the Summit, and Beijing has questioned host India using a Sanskrit phrase for the event’s logo, the Asian country has, amid ongoing Sino-Indian border tensions, even voiced support for the event.
The US, which may host the G-20 Summit in 2026, however, said China could play the spoiler in New Delhi.
“It is for China to decide what role it plays at the G-20 Summit in New Delhi,” US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan said, asserting that if Beijing wants to come in and be a “spoiler”, that option is available to it.
He said this while responding to a question at a White House news conference on Tuesday on the impact of India-China border tensions on the G-20 Summit.
“As far as the question of tensions between India and China affecting the (G-20) Summit– really that’s up to China. If China wants to come in and play the role of spoiler, of course, that option is available to them,” he said.
“What I think the Chair, India, will encourage them to do what we, the United States and every other member, virtually every other member of the G-20 will do, is encourage them to come in, in a constructive way on climate, on multilateral development, bank reform, on debt relief, on technology and set aside the geopolitical questions and really focus on problem-solving and delivering for the developing countries,” Sullivan said.
In the absence of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese delegation will be led by Premier Li Qiang, China’s foreign ministry announced on Monday as it expressed Beijing’s readiness to work with all parties to make the high-profile meeting a success.
At the invitation of New Delhi, Premier of the State Council Li will attend the 18th G-20 Summit on September 9 and 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said in a brief statement.
“President Biden will be clear that we need all G-20 members to be constructive and at the table, with no exceptions. We’ll also be making progress on other key priorities, from climate to health to digital technology, including commitments, with respect to a more inclusive digital transformation and a responsible path and approach to AI development,” Sullivan noted.
“In addition, we’ll spotlight the progress that we’ve been making on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, or what we call PGI. We’ll have some announcements that we’re excited about. Now, we know that there will be continued focus on how the G-20 deals with Russia’s illegal and ongoing war in Ukraine,” he said.
NSA Sullivan said the reality is that Russia’s “illegal” war has devastated social and economic consequences, and the poorest countries on the planet are bearing the brunt of it, the media reported on Wednesday.
President Biden will again call for a just and durable peace founded in respect for international law, principles of the UN Charter, and the precepts of territorial integrity and sovereignty, Sullivan said, adding the President will continue to emphasize that the United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to redeem these principles.
“Last but not least, and this is important, you’ll see that the United States will make it clear that we remain committed to the G-20, as a critical forum for all of the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving,” he told reporters.
When the international economy is suffering from historic and overlapping shocks, it is more important than ever to have a working forum with the world’s largest economies to deliver meaningful outcomes, Sullivan said.
“So, in a sign of that commitment, the United States is looking forward to hosting the G-20 in 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, an eminent American expert said on Tuesday that China’s decision to skip the G-20 Summit in New Delhi points to a troubled state of Sino-Indian relations.
Asia Society Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy Daniel Russel said President Xi traveled to South Africa only recently to attend a BRICS Summit. “So, his decision to skip this week’s G-20 in New Delhi is significant.”
“Xi Jinping’s rationale is less clear, but the signaling from Beijing suggests that he is keeping Biden also at arm’s length — and making no commitment to attend the November APEC Summit in San Francisco — in an attempt to pressure Washington into making concessions such as easing export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and equipment,” he said.
“Ironically, the absence of Putin and Xi leaves the field open to Biden to dominate the agenda as well as the airwaves. He can be expected to press for stronger measures against Russia, on clean energy transition, and on measures to deal with crushing debt among developing nations — the vast amount of which is held by China,” Russel said.
