China’s mediation efforts in the middle east and North Africa: Constructive conflict management

  • Mordechai Chaziza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mediation diplomacy has emerged as one of the central pillars of China’s foreign policy objectives and practice, with Beijing deliberately positioning itself as a peacemaker in the MENA region. This study evaluates China’s role as a regional peacemaker by examining Beijing’s growing engagement with bringing about a peaceful resolution to the MENA disputes. Specifically, this study seeks to examine whether or not China’s mediation efforts in the MENA region augur a shift in China’s nonintervention principle and practice. The study findings show that China’s mediation role is part of a carefully devised strategy that suits the country’s non-intervention policy framework. Therefore, China’s mediation efforts in the MENA conflicts are mostly aimed at constructive conflict management rather than conflict resolution.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-41
Number of pages13
JournalStrategic Analysis
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

Funding

Furthermore, as a permanent member of the UNSC (United Nations Security Council), China supported the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which laid the framework for a possible end to the Syrian crisis.62 Finally, China has taken part in all international meetings on the Syrian issue in Vienna in October 2015,63 and supported the convening of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in November 2015,64 apart from participating in the Geneva Conference I and II in 2012 and 2014, respectively.65

Funders
UN Security Council Resolution 2254
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security

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