Ministry spokesman: No G20 member has right to exclude any other country

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that Russia is an important member of the Group of 20 and no member has the right to remove any other country as a G20 member.

He made the remark after word emerged that the United States and its Western allies may be assessing whether Russia should remain a member of the organization.

Speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing, Wang said the G20 is a major platform for international economic cooperation with the participation of major economies in the world.

"China supports Indonesia－which holds the G20 chairmanship in 2022－to focus on the theme 'Recover Together, Recover Stronger' and carry forward G20 cooperation in all areas following the established agenda," Wang said.

Global anti-COVID-19 efforts are currently at a crucial stage and the recovery of the world economy is confronting a sluggish trend, giving rise to potential instability and uncertainties, Wang said.

He noted that the G20 shoulders important responsibility in leading the way forward in fighting the pandemic, improving global economic governance and healing the global economy.

The G20 should practice true multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, join hands to respond to mounting challenges－including in the economy, finance and sustainable development－and contribute to robust, green and healthy global development, he added.