The South China Morning Post published on 28 January 2020 an opinion piece titled "Here's the Real Reason China Isn't Taking Sides in Libya" by Alessandro Arduino, National University of Singapore.
One of China's state-owned oil companies has significant investments in Libya that have been interrupted since the overthrow in 2011 of Muammar Gaddafi. China opposes foreign military intervention in Libya and has avoided taking the side of either the Libyan Government of National Accord or the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar. According to the author, China is placing bets on both sides to protect its oil interests and Libya's role in the Belt and Road Initiative.
