China called a joint statement by the Group of Seven leaders scolding Beijing on a variety of topics “gross interference” in the country’s internal affairs and urged the grouping to quit slandering China on Monday.

The G7 leaders chastised China on human rights in Xinjiang, urged for Hong Kong to maintain a high level of autonomy, and emphasized the significance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, all of which are sensitive subjects for Beijing.

China’s embassy in London said it was strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to mentions of Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan that distorted the facts and exposed the “sinister intentions of a few countries such as the United States”.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still spreading and the global economy slowing, the world community needs unity and collaboration from all countries, not “cliquey” power tactics that sow division, it continued.

According to the embassy, China is a peace-loving country that promotes collaboration, but it also has its own priorities.

It went on to say that “China’s internal affairs must not be interfered with, China’s reputation must not be slandered, and China’s interests must not be infringed.”

“We will resolutely defend our national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and resolutely fight back against all kinds of injustices and infringements imposed on China.”

The G7 declaration on Sunday, according to White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan, was a big step forward for the group, as leaders united around the need to “counter and compete” with China on issues ranging from democracy to the technological race.

According to China’s embassy, the G7 should do more to promote international collaboration rather than artificially inciting conflict and tension.

“We encourage the US and other G7 members to respect the facts, comprehend the situation, cease slandering China, intervening in its domestic affairs, and damaging China’s interests.”

The embassy also stated that work on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic should not be politicized, as the G7 sought a full and complete examination of the coronavirus’s origins in China in the same statement.

According to the embassy, the collaborative expert group on the virus between China and the World Health Organization has been conducting research independently and in accordance with WHO norms.

“Politicians in the United States and other nations ignore facts and science, publicly dispute and contradict the joint expert group report’s conclusions, and level unfounded charges against China.”