Chinese Conflict Management in Libya, Syria and Yemen after the Arab Uprisings
ASIAN JOURNAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES
What has been China’s approach to conflict management in the Middle East? The article begins with a review of Chinese responses to conflict, its wariness at intervention and the emergence of a new model of third-party intervention labelled ‘quasi-mediation’. The article then examines three cases of conflict in the region since 2011 and China’s engagement with them: in Libya, Syria and Yemen. While quasi-mediation is not the principal form of Chinese behavior in each case, several common themes are present. They include Chinese wariness at the initial protests; rhetorical appeals for political dialogue between government and opposition and national unity; deference to powerful external actors with interests in the conflict-affected state; and a willingness to pursue commercial opportunities, which advantage some actors and marginalize others. The article therefore suggests that China is not currently making use of quasi-mediation in the Middle East, but that cross-regional comparative studies may reveal if it is occurring elsewhere.
