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.
