“Despite everything, we have some alignment of positions and an understanding of what we could do to de-escalate the situation in Syria”, Putin said at a press conference following the G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Monday.
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China’s President Xi Jinping has urged the leaders to avoid “empty talk” and confront rising protectionism that threatens globalisation and free trade. Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, the International Monetary Fund’s Christine Lagarde said, “There must be more growth and growth must be more inclusive”.
There had been hopes of a breakthrough in stemming the Syria conflict after the United States said it was close to a deal with Russian Federation.
The two-day meeting began Sunday on a diplomatic high note following a joint announcement by President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that their governments had submitted documents committing them to carrying out the Paris climate agreement.
“But because they met the criteria they were automatically let in”.
The G20 summit, bringing together leaders of the world’s major economies, had largely focused in its main sessions on spurring the global economy, countering protectionism and removing trade barriers.
The summit should also increase the openness of the world economy, facilitate trade and investment and boost inclusive development, he said.
Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, said China should be congratulated for placing innovation at the heart of the G20 presidency.
Chinese leaders say they want the G-20, launched to coordinate the response to the 2008 financial crisis, to take on a longer-term role overseeing global economic management.
He also expects the US will provide help to Laos in dealing with unexploded munitions that remain in the Laotian countryside from the war.
“One of the most important developments of the G20 Summit this year was the dual ratification by China and the U.S. of the Paris Climate Change agreement”.
Duterte said the crackdowns would continue.
Chinese dredging in the area – just over 200 kilometers from the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, where USA forces have a regular presence under a military pact – would represent a major escalation.
The steel glut stemming from excess capacity in China and elsewhere also was cited as a “global issue”.
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“With so doing we hope to send a signal to the world that the G20 did not only belong to its members but also to the whole world, our goal is to ensure that growth and development benefit all the countries and the world overwhelming majority of their people equitably”.
