China to Cease Supplying Weapons Parts to Russia
The G7 nations have called on China in their summit declaration to stop supplying weapons parts to Russia. Pope Francis also participated in the summit and in his speech, he warned about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence.
The G7 countries aim to demand China to halt all support to Russia’s arms industry. In the draft of the final statement, they urge China to stop the supply “of dual-use goods, including weapons components and equipment.”
Moreover, the seven leading industrialized nations also threaten sanctions against anyone “materially supporting Russia’s war machinery.” The continuous support from China to the Russian arms industry enables Russia to “continue its illegal war in Ukraine,” as stated in the draft.
China’s actions in the South China Sea concerning Taiwan are also criticized. The G7 group reaffirms their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through violence or coercion. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province. The leadership in Beijing has previously threatened to reunify the island and the mainland by military means.
Combatting “Unfair Business Practices by China” The final statement also addresses the trade conflict with China. The draft mentions the intention to address China’s unfair business practices that undermine jobs and industries. At the G7 summit, concerns were raised about China’s excessive industrial capacity that is being pushed into world markets by western governments.
For instance, the European Commission is investigating whether state subsidies for Chinese electric cars distort competition. According to Commission data, Chinese electric cars are about 20 percent cheaper than models manufactured in the EU. Consequently, certain imports of electric cars from China could face additional duties starting from July.
First Pope to Attend G7 Summit
Pope Francis made history as the first head of the Catholic Church to participate in a G7 summit during the almost 50-year existence of the group. The 87-year-old traveled from Rome to Bari in southern Italy by helicopter and was welcomed by the host, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “I am still alive. So are you,” teased the Pope when greeted by Meloni. She remarked, “It is a historic day. I am proud that this occurs under Italian presidency.”
Pope Highlights Dangers of AI Requiring Political Control In his speech regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Pope warned about its dangers and called for ethical and political frameworks for its application. He stated, “The rapid technological progress makes Artificial Intelligence a fascinating and at the same time eerie tool that demands a reflection that does justice to the situation.” The Pope emphasized that existential decisions should always remain in human hands.
Regarding modern warfare, the Pope called for reevaluating the development of “lethal autonomous weapons,” advocating for their prohibition and subjecting them to “an ever greater and significant human control.” He stressed, “No machine should ever be able to make the choice to take a human life.”
Pope Francis also plans to hold several discussions, including with US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Apart from the Pope, ten other heads of state and government are expected to attend the G7 meeting.
The summit, held at a luxury hotel in Bari on the southern Adriatic coast, will continue until Saturday. The G7 group comprises the United States, Canada, Britain, Japan, France, Italy, and Germany.