摘要
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‘quasimediation’.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.
