G20 summit: Chinese Premier Li Qiang urges group to be inclusive, not confrontational

“The G20 members should act as partners in promoting global economic recovery through effectively strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination … “[and] provide impetus for world economic growth” Li said, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

“The G20 members should resolutely promote economic globalisation, jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains,” Li said.

He also called for unity among G20 countries, saying: “The G20 needs unity instead of division, cooperation instead of confrontation, and inclusion instead of exclusion.”

Li also met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the summit amid continuing uncertainty whether she will make good on repeated pledges to pull Italy out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

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New Delhi slum-dwellers rendered homeless ahead of G20 summit

New Delhi slum-dwellers rendered homeless ahead of G20 summit

Li called on Italy to provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, while promising to expand market access to Italian companies.

Li, as premier, is mainly responsible for economic policy, while Xi is in charge of the country’s international relations.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the group – which already accounted for 85 per cent of the world’s economic output and more than 75 per cent of world trade – agreed to admit the African Union as a permanent member.

The group was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum to discuss global economic and financial issues, but geopolitics now plays an important role in its operations.

With Xi Jinping absent, G20 meeting could well be Modi’s time to shine

As well as the ongoing tensions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – Vladimir Putin was another notable absentee – the New Delhi summit is seen by observers as an important platform for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to expand the country’s clout on the global stage.

It also offers US President Joe Biden an opportunity to deepen ties with his hosts and reach out to developing countries.