| Syllabus: GS II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: Increasing global presence of China |
Context: First anniversary of China-brokered deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Steps taken by China to project itself as global mediator:
- Establishing an international mediation organisation in Hong Kong.
- Intends to connect this mediation initiative with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China’s larger objective :
- China seeks to be an alternative to Western interventionism, particularly in regions like West Asia with colonial legacies.
- China aims to enhance its global influence as a responsible international actor.
Limit to China’s mediation diplomacy:
- China has also been absent through the crisis in the Red Sea
Conclusion:
- Despite its economic strength, China provides few solutions for enduring geopolitical issues.
- China functions more as a utilitarian power for hedging against, rather than a rising traditional superpower.
