China accuses G7 of 'Cold War thinking' over Taiwan statement

• North Korea calls out 'double standards' of G7 over denuclearization

China on Thursday accused the Group of Seven (G7) of clinging to "Cold War thinking" and interfering in its internal affairs after the bloc raised concerns over Beijing's increasingly assertive actions around Taiwan.

"The statement disregards objective facts and ignores China's positive contributions to world peace, stability and development," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.

Mao said the G7 had "grossly" interfered in China's internal affairs and maliciously smeared Beijing, describing the grouping as an ideological clique engaged in bloc politics.

She urged the G7 to address its own responsibilities rather than interfere in China's affairs.

Following talks in Paris, G7 foreign ministers and the EU foreign policy chief expressed concern over China's increasingly assertive activities east of Taiwan, warning of risks to regional stability and freedom of navigation.

They reaffirmed opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo through force or coercion and supported Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.

Taiwan welcomed the statement, thanking the G7 and EU for their support.

Spokesperson Karen Kuo said Taiwan would strengthen its defense capabilities and cooperate with international partners to safeguard regional stability.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taipei has maintained its independence since 1949.

Separately, North Korea also slammed the G7 after the bloc criticized Pyongyang over support to Russia as well as its "unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs."

The bloc "is not entitled to find fault with or comment on other's nuclear issue as it consists of such countries as the US and the UK, which pose a serious nuclear threat to regional and global security environment through the illegal proliferation of nuclear technology for military purposes, and Japan, the defeated nation seeking to arm itself with nuclear weapons for realizing its neo-militarist ambition," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On the G7's call for denuclearization of North Korea, the ministry called it an "unrealistic act based on a double standard" which "only highlights its position as an alienated minority political group which has lost its existence value," state-run KCNA reported.