China As a Conflict Mediator

The Mercator Institute for China Studies published on 22 August 2018 a brief analysis titled "China As a Conflict Mediator: Maintaining Stability Along the Belt and Road" by Helena Legarda.

The author argues that China is increasing its conflict resolution efforts along the Belt and Road, including in Africa. Beijing reportedly pays more attention to its international mediation efforts and publicizes its activities more actively. This allows China to present itself as a responsible global actor. The author adds that so far China has failed to produce a long-term sustainable peace process in any of these conflicts.

While China has increased its diplomatic engagement in conflict issues, with rare exception, its involvement hardly qualifies as serving as a mediator in the normal use of the term. China's efforts are neither sustained nor are they necessarily designed to reach a solution.

Visits to the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza

I normally devote this blog to issues concerning Africa and China-Africa relations. Although I have had some experience in the Middle East, I am not a specialist on the area. I had the opportunity in June, however, to spend more than two weeks in Israel, the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza. It occurred to me that my inexpert impressions of visits to Hebron and Nablus in the West Bank and to Gaza following the flotilla episode might be of interest to a wider audience.

Palestine - Visit to Hebron

Palestine - Visit to Gaza

Palestine - Visit to Nablus and Samaritan Community