The Group of Seven leaders meeting in Mie Prefecture this week will express “strong opposition” to island construction and militarization of outposts in the South China Sea, offering a veiled criticism of Beijing asserting its claims to disputed islands and atolls, according to G-7 sources.

The leaders, without singling out China, will dismiss “unilateral actions that could alter the status quo” in a declaration to be issued after their two-day summit wraps up Friday, the sources said Monday.

While Japan and the United States are alarmed by China’s military buildup and muscle-flexing in the South and East China seas, European countries have focused more on boosting economic relations with Beijing, making it difficult for them to openly criticize the world’s second-largest economy.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is eager to show a unified response with his G-7 peers to China’s attempts to force a shift in the status quo in the South China Sea, where Beijing is engaged in territorial disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

The Ise-Shima summit will bring together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union.

The leaders will express opposition to “intimidation, coercion or use of force” in asserting territorial claims, and call for peaceful management and settlement of maritime disputes in accordance with international law, according to the sources.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/24/national/politics-diplomacy/g-7-express-strong-opposition-militarization-south-china-sea/#.V0j8k2MkzEZ