Full coverage: G20 Hangzhou Summit

The biggest diplomatic event of the year for China -- the G20 Summit -- is now only a week away. We will bring you special coverage of the event starting today. We'll have the latest from our studio in the host city, Hangzhou.

Hangzhou is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang Province in East China. The city lies on the edge of Hangzhou Bay, neighboring the financial hub of Shanghai. The G20 is an international forum that groups leaders from 20 member nations, guest nations and international organizations such as the UN, WTO, IMF and World Bank.

This year's summit is taking place amid rising protectionism.  China says it hopes that the G20 can deal with the trend, and push for sustainable development.

Highlighting the significance of development, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says this year's summit will make plans for further sustainable development.

"This year's summit will give priority to the issue of development. With China's support, the G20 Summit will for the first time ever, make systematic plans for the implementation of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, adopting both group and individual action," said Lu Kang, spokesman of Chinese foreign minister.

Lu Kang says he is confident that this year's G20 Summit in Hangzhou will inject renewed vigor into the world economic growth.

"The G20 Hangzhou Summit not only has a vision, but also takes measures to formulate Hangzhou action plans. China takes concrete actions to promote world's strong, sustainable and inclusive growth," Lu Kang said.

Lu also said the upcoming summit will outline an action plan to cope with the recent surge in protectionist policy.

He noted that a statement released after the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting, the first of its kind in G20 history, said the world's 20 major economies hold a common and firm position on opposing trade protectionism.

"The G20 summit in Hangzhou will continue to focus on 'strong international trade and investment' . Under the premise of combating trade and investment protectionism, the summit will strive to increase mutual understanding and reach consensus, by effectively using WTO multilateral and bilateral economic communication mechanisms," Lu Kang said.

Over the course of the last 8 months, nearly 150 measures, including policies on trade restrictions, have been implemented by G20 countries.