Wang Huiyao: Why China is becoming a top choice mediator for global conflicts

SCMP | August 16 , 2024

---

From SCMP， 2024-8-16

---

■ China’s economic influence, diplomatic connections and commitment to multilateral solutions makes it a potentially transformative force for peace.

---

By Wang Huiyao | Founder of the Center for China and Globalization(CCG)

 

As global conflicts simmer, China’s role as a mediator is gaining prominence, with its economic influence and diplomatic connections helping it to foster dialogue. Last month, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Guangzhou. During their talks, Wang reiterated China’s commitment to promoting a political resolution to the Russian war on Ukraine, a stance that received a positive response from Kuleba.

China’s significant influence largely stems from its economic connections with the conflicting parties. During the Guangzhou talks, Wang emphasised China’s role as Ukraine’s largest trading partner. According to Chinese customs, bilateral trade was at US$6.81 billion last year. Wang also pointed out China’s position as the primary importer of Ukrainian agricultural products and underscored Ukraine’s early participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

On his part, Kuleba acknowledged the importance of the bilateral relationship, calling the two not just strategic partners but also important economic and trade partners. As the conflict in Ukraine grinds on, Kyiv appears to see Beijing’s influence as increasingly vital. China, with its infrastructure expertise, could play a significant role in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

At the same time, China’s position as Russia’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade rising to US$240.1 billion last year, further solidifies its unique role as a potential neutral mediator. This economic interdependence with both nations gives China leverage that few other countries can match.

China’s economic diplomacy scored a notable success a year ago when it brokered the restoration of ties between long-standing rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. As a major trading partner and the largest oil customer of both nations, China wielded significant influence. This economic leverage was bolstered by major bilateral agreements: a 25-year cooperation deal with Iran reached in 2021 and a strengthening of its comprehensive strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia in 2022.

China’s deep economic ties with these Middle Eastern powers provided both the means and the motivation to push for their reconciliation. As Israel’s third-largest trading partner, and with bilateral trade volume reaching US$14.5 billion last year, China can also – I have reason to believe – play a significant role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Gaza crisis, potentially offering a path to dialogue where traditional diplomacy has faltered.

Furthermore, China’s seat on the UN Security Council has become a cornerstone of its growing diplomatic influence, particularly in its push for multilateral solutions to global conflicts. After the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza broke out, Wang proposed high-level international conferences to address the crises.

This approach bore fruit earlier this year when rival Palestinian factions came together for the Beijing Declaration, a rare moment of unity brokered through Chinese diplomacy. Days later, on July 25, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong reiterated Beijing’s stance on the Ukraine war during a Security Council review, emphasising the need for peace talks and a political resolution.

Over three decades, China has grown to become a major contributor of troops in UN peacekeeping operations, providing more peacekeepers than all the other UN Security Council permanent members combined, and is the second-largest financial backer of these operations. These commitments have helped to reshape China’s international image, portraying it as a nation dedicated to global peace and respect for sovereignty, unlike its once isolationist stance.

More importantly, China’s approach to international diplomacy is deeply rooted in its historical narrative and foreign policy principles. China doesn’t have a colonial past and has not engaged in invasive military campaigns in recent history, which serves as a foundation for its credibility on the global stage. This stance, encapsulated in its “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence”, emphasises dialogue and consultation over force and aggression in resolving international disputes.

China’s policy of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, offering an alternative to interventionist approaches, has gained significant support, particularly among developing nations. As China’s global interests expand alongside its economic and military capabilities, it continues to advocate for peaceful coexistence and non-intervention. Free from Cold War-era alliance constraints, China positions itself as a neutral mediator in global affairs – a role it increasingly embraces in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.

In addition, China’s diplomatic efforts extend to developing nations, as evidenced by the recent China-Brazil consensus on the Ukraine crisis. Their six-point proposal outlines key de-escalation principles, including no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party. Significantly, it proposes an international peace conference, to be held at a time agreeable to both Russia and Ukraine, ensuring equal participation and fair discussion of all peace plans.

This trend was also underscored last year when an African peace delegation visited Ukraine and Russia. As a member of the Brics bloc (original members include Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa), China encourages developing countries to join in the fostering of peaceful development frameworks.

Through sharing information, financial aid, project collaboration and participation in international negotiations, Beijing is strengthening its ties with the Global South, amplifying the collective voice in global peace initiatives.

In conclusion, China’s emerging role in global conflict resolution leverages its economic influence and diplomatic reach to unite diverse stakeholders. By creating dialogue platforms that bridge long-standing divides, Beijing offers a fresh approach to peace negotiations.

China’s commitment to multilateral solutions and engagement with all parties positions it as a potentially transformative force in international peacekeeping. This approach not only advances China’s diplomatic interests but also reflects its vision of a shared future for humanity, potentially reshaping the landscape of global conflict resolution in the years to come.

From SCMP， 2024-8-16