China hits out as G7 slams Beijing over human rights, backs Taiwan

China has hit back at a statement issued by G7 foreign ministers criticising its human rights abuses and “coercive economic policies”, while expressing support for Taiwan.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday that the group of advanced economies “should focus on international anti-epidemic cooperation and promote equitable distribution of vaccines, instead of just hoarding vaccines by themselves, and only make a painless statement about helping other countries”.