G20 coordinators confident of summit's success, accomplishment

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong introduces the preparation work during 2016 The Fourth G20 Sherpa Meeting in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, September 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

HANGZHOU - Senior officials in charge of preparations for the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in Hangzhou on Thursday gave thumbs-up to China's organizing of the meeting under its presidency.

A statement was issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the opening of the fourth and final Sherpa meeting, also known as coordinators' meeting in preparations for the summit slated for September 4-5.

It said basic agreements have been reached on a G20 blueprint for innovation-driven growth, an action plan to carry out the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and an initiative to support the industrialization in Africa and the least developed countries.

Fundamental consensus was also reached on a set of high-level principles in cross-border manhunt and the return of illicit assets in anti-graft cases among G20 members, a global trade growth strategy, and a guideline for global investment.

The statement said the coordinators expressed full confidence in a successful summit in Hangzhou, adding that the summit will undoubtedly leave an imprint in the G20 history.

Under China's presidency, the G20 has seen stable, smooth and innovative progress in 2016, along with a series of ground breaking accomplishments, the Sherpas agreed.

China took over the G20 presidency in December 2015.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong chaired Thursday's Sherpa meeting, during which the coordinators also negotiated on a G20 leaders' communique set to be published after the two-day summit.

Li noted that preparations for the summit have entered the final stage. He called on all parties to continue their collaboration and strive for a positive and fruitful summit, in order to help inject new life into global economic growth.