ISE-SHIMA, Japan—The leaders from the Group of Seven advanced democracies met Friday with representatives of emerging and developing countries in Asia and Africa.
The so-called outreach program involves Chad, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and Laos.
G7 host Japan said ahead of the meeting that it would zero in on Asia’s stability and prosperity, including “open and stable seas,” as well as United Nations sustainable development goals with a focus on Africa.
The reference to maritime issues comes as tensions build up over Beijing’s claims to almost the entire South China Sea, a strategic body of water that encompasses key global shipping lanes.
China’s maritime claims and ongoing militarization of islets and outcrops have angered some of its Southeast Asian neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnam.
At the close of their formal session in Ise-Shima, the G7 leaders fired a broadside across China’s bows over its behavior in the region, without mentioning Beijing by name.
“We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and emphasize the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes,” the summit-ending statement said.
Beijing is also locked in a dispute with G7 host Japan over the rocky outcroppings in the East China Sea, stoking broader concerns about Beijing’s growing regional might and threats to back up its claims with force, if necessary.
China, for its part, is engaged in a furious diplomatic charm offensive among the developing countries, offering aid and trade in what critics see as a naked bid to rally international support to its cause.
The roster of countries Beijing claims back its position on the South China Sea includes Mauritania, Togo and land-locked Niger.
Also participating in Friday’s sessions were UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and World Bank head Jim Yong Kim.
The heads of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Asian Development Bank also attended.