Obuchi took this as recognition of a free hand to welcome China. However, China has been cool on the matter. A government spokesman has said that China would keep to the group of developing countries and keep on a collaborative basis with the G8. In recent years, China has kept contact with G8 and every host nation of the summit had contacted us before the meetings. For the Obuchi Government, it seems that it may be using the China card for gaining popularity and maintain its grip on power by opening new era of world leadership meetings, going from G8 to a new G9.
Chinese participation is still up in the air in international opinion.
The US has been prudent, commenting that it has nothing to say other than it considers every suggestion of the host government, as if meaning no comment. A US change in attitude on the matter was observed after Germany advocated Chinese summit presence. It would be difficult for the US alone to neglect China, even if President Clinton would feel uncomfortable with Chinese leaders after the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Kosovo last year. Obuchi has set his sights on Chinese participation. Government officials draw a senario such as bringing in the Chinese leader just before the G8 meeting on Okinawa and having bilateral meetings with each G8 leader if China declines to sit in on the summit itself.