China as global conflict mediator: from ambition to action
China has increasingly taken on the role of conflict mediator on the world stage – hosting negotiations, proposing peace plans and even deploying personnel to oversee ceasefires. Once reluctant to engage in United Nations peacekeeping activities, it now provides more troops than any other permanent member of the Security Council.
These are dramatic shifts for a country that was once a staunch advocate of non-interference. As its economic and security interests now reach far beyond its borders, China's engagement on the world stage has understandably grown accordingly. It has a strong incentive to resolve conflicts that threaten its trade, overseas investments, citizens abroad or simply regional stability.
The six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, beginning in 2003, marked China's first major foray into multilateral conflict mediation.
The talks provide a good example of China's approach to conflict mediation, summarised in its foreign policy lexicon by the phrase '劝和促谈' (persuading for peace and promoting dialogue): while Beijing had no coercive leverage over Pyongyang, it served as a consistent convenor – urging
North Korea to halt its nuclear ambitions while pressing
the US to address the country's security concerns.
North Korean official Choe Ryong-hae (right) speaks with Zhao Leji (left), chairman of the National People's Congress of China, during a reception in Pyongyang last year. Photo: KCNA/KNS via AP
China's ambitions are now broader. It has been positioning itself as a leader of the Global South, embracing inclusive multilateralism more than the West.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
HKFP
34 minutes ago
- HKFP
China vice premier to meet US delegation for trade talks, Beijing says
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet a US delegation for talks next week in Britain, Beijing announced Saturday amid a fragile truce in the trade dispute between the two powers. He will visit the United Kingdom from June 8 to 13 at the invitation of the British government, China's foreign ministry said in a statement. It said He and American representatives will co-chair the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism. US President Donald Trump had already announced on Friday that a new round of trade talks with China would kick off in London beginning Monday, after he spoke by phone with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a bid to end a bitter battle over tariffs. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer would meet the Chinese team. The discussions will mark the second round of such negotiations between the world's two biggest economies since Trump launched his trade war shortly after returning to the White House in January. A first meeting, held in mid-May in Geneva, brought a pause to the US-China trade dispute. But Trump then accused Beijing of not respecting the terms of the de-escalation agreement. On Thursday the Republican president finally discussed the issues with Xi for the first time since the trade tensions soared, assuring that the conversation had been positive. Xi for his part told Trump the two should 'correct the course' of bilateral relations, according to remarks quoted by official Chinese media.
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Basketball betting: Hong Kong plans fifth counselling centre for gamblers
Hong Kong authorities are planning to set up a fifth counselling centre for gamblers, the home affairs chief has said, with the government proposing to legalise basketball betting and impose a 50 per cent duty on the operator's net profits. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Sunday that the government would require the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is set to become the sole licensed basketball betting operator, to contribute to society through donations and policy support. 'For example, it has to increase its donations to the Ping Wo Fund,' Mak told a radio show, referring to the body established by the government in 2003 to finance measures addressing gambling-related problems. It funds four counselling centres. 'We are planning to set up a new centre specifically for young people and offer them education and counselling services, in addition to the current four centres. 'If the club can offer resources to facilitate or implement sports policies, it may be the direction the public wishes to see.' According to a government paper submitted to the Legislative Council, those aged 18 or under accounted for 1 to 2 per cent of people receiving counselling or treatment from the four centres in the past five years. The proportion of gamblers aged between 18 and 21 remained below 2 per cent in that period, according to the club.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China signals readiness on rare earth talks, approves more exports
China has approved some qualified rare earth export applications and is ready to deepen dialogue with nations over export controls, the Ministry of Commerce said as the strategic resource continued to take centre stage in Beijing's trade negotiations with the United States. 'We've observed growing global demand for medium and heavy rare earths in civilian sectors such as robotics and new energy vehicles, as these industries continue to expand,' the ministry said in a statement posted on its official website on Saturday. It added that, as 'a responsible major power', China had taken the legitimate civilian needs of other countries into account, approved qualified export applications in line with the law, and would continue strengthening its compliance review process. 'China is willing to enhance communication and dialogue with relevant countries on export controls in order to facilitate compliant trade,' the ministry said. Rare earths – a long-held ace for Beijing in its dealings with Washington – are at the heart of the China-US trade tug of war. Vice-Premier He Lifeng is expected to attend the first meeting of the US-China bilateral economic and trade consultation mechanism during his trip to London from Sunday to Friday. China, the world's largest producer of rare earths , accounts for around 70 per cent of global rare earth mining and around 90 per cent of the refining of the minerals. The minerals are essential for making consumer electronics, electric vehicles and hi-tech defence systems.
