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With President Hu Jintao making another appearance at the G8 summit, China's relationship with the powerful group is once again in the spotlight.
It has been proposed that China become a member of the G8, which would then become the G9. Others do not see China joining the G8 in the foreseeable future. Many argue China should strengthen communications and cooperation with the G8, perhaps through a "G8+1" framework, to formalize economic relations.
Unlike Russia, a late addition to the group, China maintains relations primarily due to its ever-increasing economic strength. The G8 cannot ignore a nation that is so important to the global economy.
The welcome the G7 gave Russia in the aftermath of the Cold War was mainly a political decision.
But as it lacks economic power, Russia has always been excluded from the G8's economic coordination. China has participated in several G8 meetings for ministers of trade or economics.
China is faced with unprecedented economic pressures from the West. Some believe the nation's increasing participation in globalization is beneficial to the West, but others worry about the so-called Chinese threat. It seems that recent debates about China's economic influence are only just the beginning.
At the same time, some economic matters in China have become targets for internal politics in the US and Europe. Both the US and EU are exerting enormous pressure on China, challenging its fundamental currency, trade, investment and energy interests.
As the largest of the developing countries, China has a special position in the world. Development has not yet been fully achieved and living standards are not high, there is a wealth gap, large regional differences and ecological pressures. But on the other hand the vibrant economy has allowed some parts of the country to expand their middle class, even compared to international standards.
China has increasingly gained in status on the world stage, blurring the line between being a developing country and a developed country. The fact that China's leader has twice attended a G8 summit, as the leader of a developing country, speaks for itself.
However, China cannot downplay its status as a developing country. It is indeed a developing country, with a long way to go before it catches up with developed countries.
But this status allows China to play the role of bridging gaps between nations in international organizations, especially regarding economics and the developing world as a whole.
Diplomatically and politically, China needs the support of developing countries. Even if China eventually joins the G8, it should remain in position as a bridge between the two worlds.
There is no doubt that China's political and value systems, which are different from those in the West, constitute obstacles to its potential membership of the G8.
China will not embark on the path to the Western model of democracy.
Even though some in the West have suggested accepting China as a member, G8 decision-makers may have difficulty accepting a country with a political system incompatible with their own.
In any case, one thing is certain interaction between China and the G8 will increase. China must decide how best to deal with the G8 while facing its own challenges.
Exchanges between China and the G8 will affect the whole world. In GDP terms, China is already an economic power, and its prowess will only increase as systematic and strategic economic relations are established with the G8 as an equal partner, rather than as a weak adjunct.
Mutual exchange should be based on a "G8+1" system. It is not sufficient to have a dialogue with China only as a representative of the developing world. With a view to global economic debates, China must propose the first meeting of "China+G8."
China is integral to global peace and development. Dialogue and cooperation with the G8 have evolved into a new model for North-South relations, and have had a significant impact on global development.
(China Daily July 11, 2005)
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