MANILA, Philippines — The world's seven most powerful democracies back the Philippines' claims in the South China Sea as they opposed Beijing's expansive maritime claims and strongly opposed its militarization in the region. The Group of Seven (G7) — comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — plus the European Union adopted this position during the G7 and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) summits in Japan earlier this month. 'The G7 leaders also stressed that there is no legal basis for China's expansive claims in the South China Sea and strongly opposed its militarization in the region,' Japan Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa wrote Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil in a May 20 letter.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/215400/g7-supports-2016-ruling-on-south-china-sea-claims

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