The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement late on May 21 saying that Vice Minister Sun Weidong had summoned Japanese Ambassador Hideo Tarumi to express "dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to what China said were exaggerated reports related to China at the G7 summit, which took place in Hiroshima, Japan, from May 19-21.

Mr. Ton said that Japan had joined forces with the remaining countries in the G7 (UK, Canada, Germany, US, France and Italy) "to smear and attack China, seriously interfere in China's internal affairs, violate the basic principles of international law and the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries," according to Reuters.

In response, Ambassador Tarumi said it was normal for the G7 to raise common concerns and would continue to do so if China did not take positive measures to change its behavior and address those concerns.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stressed on May 22 that Japan's policy on China remains consistent and Tokyo will speak out on necessary issues but also cooperate on common issues.

According to the G7 joint statement, the leaders emphasized building a stable relationship with China, having frank dialogue but also being willing to express concerns directly.

Countries affirmed that cooperation with China on global issues of common interest is necessary and the G7's approach is not intended to hinder the country's development.

However, the joint statement also mentioned concerns about negative economic behavior, the situation in the East Sea and the East China Sea, human rights issues in China, and reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said Taiwan was "the core of China's core interests" and a "red line that must not be crossed." He said human rights issues were China's internal affairs and no external force was allowed to make irresponsible remarks or deliberately interfere.

In a related development, the Chinese Embassy in the UK also issued a statement "calling on London not to slander and smear Beijing" to avoid further damage to bilateral relations. The statement was issued after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called China the biggest challenge to the world's security and prosperity.