During a recent press briefing, US National Security Advisor Sullivan addressed China’s role at the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi. He emphasized that it is up to China to determine its stance at the summit and suggested that if Beijing chooses to act as a ‘spoiler,’ that option remains open to them. This statement comes amidst ongoing tensions between India and China along their shared border, raising concerns about how these tensions might impact international cooperation at the G20.

“As far as the question of tensions between India and China affecting the summit: Really, that’s up to China. If China wants to come in and play the role of spoiler, of course, that option is available to them.”

Sullivan also expressed the hope that China, as a G20 member, would take a constructive approach to the summit’s agenda. He suggested that India, as the chair of the G20 this year, would encourage China to focus on critical issues such as climate change, multilateral development bank reform, debt relief, and technology cooperation, setting aside geopolitical disputes in favor of collaborative problem-solving.

Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Instead, the Chinese delegation will be led by Premier Li Qiang, the second-ranked leader in China. This decision was announced by the Chinese foreign ministry, which also expressed Beijing’s commitment to working with all parties to ensure the success of the summit.

At the G20 Summit in New Delhi, President Joe Biden is expected to emphasize the importance of active participation from all member countries. The United States will stress the need for constructive engagement and cooperation on various global challenges. Sullivan highlighted several key priorities, including climate action, health initiatives, and digital technology.

President Biden will also call for commitments related to a more inclusive digital transformation and a responsible approach to the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The summit will provide an opportunity to showcase progress in the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGI), with anticipated announcements on this front.

During the press conference, Sullivan underlined the continued focus on how the G20 addresses Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He acknowledged that the Ukraine conflict has had severe social and economic consequences, with the world’s poorest nations bearing the brunt of its impact. This ongoing issue remains a priority for the international community, and discussions at the G20 Summit are expected to reflect this concern.

In conclusion, National Security Advisor Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the G20 as a critical forum for major economies to come together for global problem-solving. As India prepares to host the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10, the world will be watching to see how China chooses to engage and whether the summit can deliver meaningful solutions to pressing global challenges.