China has been quick and smart enough to fish in the troubled waters. In a latest, it brokered bonhomie between Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas on July 23, 2024. The deal may lead to a Palestinian Unity Government.
The Beijing Declaration was signed during the concluding ceremony of a reconciliation discussion between 14 Palestinian groups that took place in the capital of China from July 21–23.
The peace effort marks China’s growing influence in Middle East despite Israel dismissing them and saying that Hamas rule in Gaza will be crushed.
It’s Twilight & A Turning Point
Erstwhile opponents Fatah and Hamas have been divided historically and all efforts of reconciliations in the past have failed badly. But this reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah would be a key turning point.
Hamas, which led the October 7 attack on Israel, advocates for armed resistance against Israel’s occupation. Fatah controls the Palestinian Authority, which has partial administrative control of the occupied West Bank. It favours peaceful negotiations in pursuit of a Palestinian state.
While the United States has been indicating for a revitalized Palestinian Authority once the ongoing war in Gaza gets over, China has delivered it with a deal.
In recent months, Chinese officials have been more vocal in their support of the Palestinians at international fora, demanding a more extensive Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and a two-state solution.
The most crucial interpretation to make is that China’s influence is expanding throughout the world—not because of its economic might but rather because it is using its good offices to mediate peace in conflict-ridden areas.
The Beijing Declaration On Ending Division & Strengthening Palestinian National Unity
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing that the declaration commends China’s sincere effort to support the rights of the Palestinians, end division and bring about a unified position among the Palestinian factions. The declaration stresses the need to hold, under the auspices of the UN, an international conference with a full mandate and broad-based participation from the region and beyond.
According to the declaration, parties believe that the Beijing talks demonstrated a positive and constructive spirit, and agree to realize national unity among all factions under the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, Mao said.
The declaration reaffirms commitment to establishing an independent State of Palestine with Jerusalem as the capital city based on relevant UN resolutions and ensuring the integrity of Palestinian territory including the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.
China Telling New Stories About The Future: Some recent Chinese moves indicate its role in many pressing international issues, that it regards ‘a constructive role’. The idea is to shed its negative image and become an international weight that is increasingly accommodating and appreciative. As a result, the footprints are visible all over the globe in different walks of global governance dynamics.
China Has Remained Infamous For All ‘Wrong Reasons’
Debt-trap diplomacy, policy of expansionism, assertions in South China Sea; aggressiveness on Hong Kong; determined effort to annex Taiwan as another province; border disputes with neighbours including India; close nexus with Pakistan; soft on admitting and acknowledging terrorists on international lists, are some of the reasons for hostile relationships Beijing has had with international community. However, China has begun asserting itself on the globe through increased role in global rule-making, and in discussions of common values and good governance.
China under Xi Jinping has articulated Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI), wherein the countries who have signed to be part of Chinese mega connectivity project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have expressed their interests in GDI and GSI. It is through such instrumentalities that China is also luring other countries to its side.
China’s Aspirations To Resolve Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Li Hui, a long-time serving ambassador to Moscow said in June 2023, that China would do anything to ease tension between Russia and Ukraine. He went on to say that there exists a big gap between both sides’ positions and getting all sides to negotiate now would still face a lot of difficulties. Li completed a 12-day tour of Kyiv, Warsaw, Paris, Berlin, Brussels and Moscow in a bid to find common ground for an eventual political settlement.
It is important to mention here that China has published a 12-point peace plan, calling for the protection of civilians and protecting the sovereignty of all countries.
This was published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 24, 2023 and includes the following:
(i) Respecting the sovereignty of all countries; (ii) Abandoning the Cold War mentality; (iii) Ceasing hostilities; (iv) Resuming peace talks; (v) Resolving the humanitarian crisis; (vi) Protecting civilians and prisoners of war; (vii) Keeping nuclear power plants safe; (viii) Reducing strategic risks; (ix) Facilitating grain exports; (x) Stopping unilateral sanctions; (xi) Keeping industrial and supply chains stable; (xii) Promoting post-conflict reconstruction.
China’s Success In Brokering Deal Between Saudi Arabia & Iran
Saudi Arabia and Iran have been at loggerhead since long. They have been accusing each other of destabilizing the region and regarded each other as security threats and have often been on the opposite sides of the regional conflict such as those in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. Saudis along with USA have been accusing Iran of conspiring to attack on Saudi ships, territory and energy infrastructure over the past few years.
Saudi Arabia even severed its diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016, in the wake of Iranian protesters storming the Saudi embassy in Tehran, in response to Saudi authorities executing 47 dissidents, including a leading Shia cleric.
But China-led negotiations held in Beijing, have led to resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They have reportedly agreed to reopen their embassies and missions in each other’s countries. They have also affirmed the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states.
The talks between the two countries were held during March 6-10, 2023 in Beijing. Saudi Arabia praised the role played by China and described the process as “proceeding from their shared desire to resolve the disagreements between them through dialogue and diplomacy, and in light of their brotherly ties.” Iran and Saudi Arabia also agreed: (i) that the foreign ministers of both countries would meet to implement this and improve bilateral relations; (ii) that it would revive previous cooperation accords, namely a “Security Cooperation Agreement” from 2001 and a “General Agreement on Cooperation” from 1998 covering the fields of trade, economy, sports, technology, science, culture, sports and youth; (iii) that they would exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international, peace and security.
China’s Constructive Role In Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s democracy was scuttled when Taliban-II took over the reins of government on August 15, 2021. Most countries closed their diplomatic missions in Kabul and resorted to immediate evacuation of their stranded citizens. However, China, Pakistan, Russia and Iran were the four exceptions who did not sever their ties.
China was one of the first nations to develop diplomatic channel with Taliban-II regime in Afghanistan. It also pledged an emergency humanitarian aid worth US$ 31 million to Afghanistan amidst US withdrawal from there.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also visited Afghanistan in March 2022, and Beijing since then have been engaging constructively with Taliban-II and creating leverages for improving bilateralism.
China’s Influence on Myanmar
February 2021 coup overthrew the government of Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar. This led to 1.5 million people being internally displaced, around 90,000 fleeing Myanmar and residing in refugee camps in Thailand.
China, which has been accused of exploiting the vulnerability of Myanmar’s internal conflict, has been aspiring to play a role for peace. Since Myanmar is considered a gateway to Indian Ocean, Beijing is aggressively pursuing its relations with current political dispensation of Myanmar.
China & Saudi Arabia Getting Closer
The 10th Arab-China Business Conference was held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in June 2023 at Riyadh. The aim of the conference was to enhance a strategic partnership based around Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
It was basically organized by the Arab League and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Chinese President Xi Jinping had visited Riyadh in December 2022 and had held joint meetings with Arab leaders concluding a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and China signed a $5.6 billion deal in which the Chinese company was entrusted to manufacture electric vehicles as Saudi government has been looking to lead the Arab world as far as expanding its ties with China is concerned.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on June 11, 2023 with the Chinese company Human Horizons. Erstwhile bilateral relations between the two countries have been revolving around energy. However, as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia has planned to boost investments in non-oil sectors, including in electric cars. The said deal is scheduled to span across different sectors of technology including renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, metals, tourism, and healthcare.
China and the United States have been struggling to keep their positions intact on the global horizon in economic and soft power arena. China thus is gradually getting into the shoe of USA and endeavouring to play those roles which were mainly being played by America on the global turf.
Take This Home: While some may label China as a latecomer, the truth is that elites and professionals in both South Asia and America are still unaware of the strategies and instruments China uses in its activism and influence operations.
