Powers should repulse "malign actors": Sunak's veiled slap at China

London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged world powers to stand together against the "malign actors" exploiting the global economy, aiming an indirect slap at China. He left for the G20 summit on Sunday, his first bilateral meeting with world leaders after being ascended to the PM's office, Agence France-Presse reported.

Sunak is pro-West against Russia in the Ukraine issue, and he wants allies to back the international financial system, which includes the World Trade Organisation, Sunak's Office said.

AFP reported that he is expected to say at the G20 that developing nations must have access to credit for economic growth without relying on "exploitative" lenders. He will also say that WTO requires reforms to restrict "malign actors" manipulating global markets, indirectly slamming China, which is also a G20 member.

He was totally critical of Putin's regime in Russia. Sunak had said in a statement on Saturday that Britain will bring attention to and lay bare Russia's utter contempt for international cooperation and respect for sovereignty forums G20 represents. Since Putin is not attending the summit, Sunak informed that he would meet the Russian foreign minister in Bali.

To queries whether Sunak will lax a bit on Russia as energy prices soar and Britain is about to confront an economic crisis, the PM's spokesperson informed that "he will not fade or alter," AFP quoted. Sunak will impress UK's stand-up on Russia in Bali.

Before his departure to Bali, Sunak also said that G20 nations must step up to mend the weaknesses in the international economic system, which Putin exploited for years, according to him, AFP reported.