Chinese State Media Says "The G7 Era Is Over... A More Inclusive Body Is Needed"

[Financial News] Chinese state media argued that the era in which the Group of Seven (G7), centered on the United States and Europe, determined the world order is over. It said a "more inclusive and representative body" is needed. The report drew attention because it came as China has recently been presenting itself as a new center of gravity in the international community under the slogan of "equal and orderly multipolarization."
In an editorial titled "The era when the G7 dominated the world is gone," China Daily, the Chinese state-run English-language outlet, said on the 19th that "over the past 20 years, the G7's agenda has shifted from efforts to address global issues to internal security concerns, geopolitical competition, trade disputes, and strategic rivalry."
It added, "To make matters worse, this group appears unable to resolve even those internal problems." It also criticized the United States, which has long been seen as the G7's center of gravity, saying that as Washington faces trade disputes with Europe, begins to question long-standing security commitments, and openly challenges partners on issues ranging from defense spending to industrial policy, the G7's ability to produce global outcomes is inevitably weakening.
Citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the newspaper noted that the G7 countries accounted for 60% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2005, but that share has fallen to around 40% recently.
Over the same period, China's share of global GDP rose from about 7% to roughly 18%.
The editorial said that urgent global challenges such as development, climate change, Artificial intelligence (AI), and economic governance require broader participation and representation. It predicted that the future of global governance will not be shaped by a single club of wealthy nations, but by more inclusive and representative institutions.
The Chinese state media response came shortly after the G7 announced at its recent summit in France that it would jointly respond to attempts to weaponize rare-earth elements and other critical minerals. Although China was not named, the move was interpreted as targeting Beijing, which has used restrictions on rare-earth exports to exert influence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China sharply criticized the move, calling it "an act that undermines the international trade order."
honestly82@fnnews.com Kim Hyun-chul Reporter