The G20 summit closed on Monday with world leaders agreeing to take co-ordinated action
to boost the slowing global economy.
However,... many would say the most attention grabbing moments happened on the sidelines
on the summit.
Kwon Jang-ho reports.
The two-day meeting of leaders from 20 of the world's leading economies closed on Monday,
with the adoption of a joint communique, dubbed the 'Hangzhou Consensus'.
The agreement stressed the strengthening of policy co-ordination between the nations to
improve the flagging world economy.
"We covered issues on stressing policy coordination and breaking a new path of growth, more effective
and efficient global economy and financial governance, robust international trade and
investment, inclusive and interconnected development."
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned world leaders on Sunday against rising protectionist
tendencies saying it was putting the world economy at risk.
South Korea's President Park Geun-hye reiterated the importance of increasing free-trade in
Monday's meetings, stressing instances of protectionism in the past had damaged economies.
But on the sidelines of the summit, this year's G20 forum was one where political divisions
and struggles were strongly evident.
A high-profile meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir
Putin ended up with no agreement on ways to de-escalate the war in Syria, with more discussions
said to come in the near future.
Obama also met with Xi before the start of the G20 Summit, both ratifying the landmark
climate-change agreement...but the good will was seemingly soured by a minor diplomatic
incident at Hangzhou airport where Obama was the only leader without a red-carpet reception
due to a mechanical failure of the staircase.
Commentators said it was a deliberate snub by China, although Obama was quick to brush
off the incident.
Brexit was also a tense subject, with several nations, including the U.S. and Japan, warning
Britain it could take time to negotiate trade deals, and face withdrawing overseas businesses.
The first G20 meeting in China might have successfully closed, but global issues and
concerns remain.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.