G20 summit

Will China put the economic issue over politics in the "issues to discuss" list of the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit? That has become the latest focus of the global media on the meeting on Monday.

The Reuters news agency said in a story that the issues relevant to the global economic growth, rather than mere geopolitical squabbles of some members, are expected to override in the high-level gathering of the world's 20 biggest economies.

"The Sept. 4-5 leaders' meeting comes as clouds continue to hover over global growth prospects" in the aftermath of "Britain's exit from Europe and fears of rising protectionism," said the Britain-based news agency.

Reuters also quoted Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong as saying that the summit "has as its theme of economic growth" in a "sustainable, balanced and inclusive" manner, a topic that "everyone is focused on and is the consensus."

The U.S. Associated Press (AP) also reported that the summit comes "as an unusually weak global economic recovery is helping to fuel the popularity of U.S. and European political movements that advocate protection for local industries."

The news outlet predicted that during the meeting, China would "propose a joint initiative to revive weak global growth."

"Beijing's proposal ... will include reforms aimed at strengthening the global financial system and promoting technological innovation," the AP said, quoting a high-level Chinese official as saying that the governments should be on "high alert" to "anti-globalization" sentiments.

Chinese media also highlighted the significance to achieve inclusive global growth through coordination and cooperation among G20 members.

In a commentary published on Monday, Xinhua said "with successes achieved in its efforts to counter the global financial tsunami that broke out eight years ago, the G20 now needs to structurally upgrade itself in order to take the global economy out of a low-growth trap."

"Many are fretting that the global growth is sliding into the snare of a persistent 'new mediocre,'" Xinhua noted, adding it is highly hoped that China "will help draw a roadmap that could show a way out of the predicament of low-growth."

Xinhua also listed the possible G20 topics -- wealth distribution inequality, technological monopolies, trade protectionism, innovation-driven growth and climate change, all of which "will contribute to long-term economic development."

Source : XINHUA