The Group of Seven (G7) or the seven richest countries in the world have issued a joint communiqué expressing concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas and calling for a demilitarization of “disputed features.” The joint statement was released following the May 26 and 27 meetings in Taormina, Italy attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump. The leaders strongly opposed any unilateral action that could increase tensions. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US. They encouraged dialogue based on international law towards early finalization of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Brago, P. (2017, May 30). G7 seeks demilitarization of ‘disputed’ sea features. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 10.