Intervention to oppose interference : China’s holistic approach to the Civil War in Ethiopia
Start Date
13-4-2023 3:45 PM
End Date
13-4-2023 4:45 PM
Description
The Belt and Road Initiative underscores China’s dilemma of protecting overseas interests while adhering to non-interference. It is particularly the case in the Horn of Africa where China has massive infrastructure investments. The Ethiopia civil war (2020-2022) in this region highlights China’s challenge of protecting overseas interests in instability. As instability intensified by uneven development in modernization is a common trend in many African countries, the challenge in Ethiopia has far-reaching implications for China’s practice in Africa. This challenge is more formidable in a hostile strategic environment featured by the U.S.-China competition. China’s effort to mediate the Ethiopia civil war reveals a shift from its solution for the Darfur crisis in Sudan in the 2000s. Despite domestic and international pressure, Beijing adopts a holistic approach to mediating the Ethiopia civil war without interference. This approach integrates peace, development, and security and advocates regional collective efforts in the Horn of Africa. It enriches the non-interference doctrine by emphasizing “African solutions to Africa problems” to oppose interference from external powers and helps foster a more favorable strategic environment for China in this region. Instability arising with economic growth in this region subtly changes Beijing’s understanding of the nexus between security and development. These changes will drive Beijing toward more mature policy and practice in Africa. For countries in the Horn of Africa, Beijing’s approach appears as a force and reference to support their refusal of external interference.
Document Type
Presentation
Recommended Citation
Ye, I. W. (2023, April). Intervention to oppose interference: China’s holistic approach to the Civil War in Ethiopia. Presented at the International Symposium on Africa-China Relations in an Era of Uncertain Future. Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Intervention to oppose interference : China’s holistic approach to the Civil War in Ethiopia
The Belt and Road Initiative underscores China’s dilemma of protecting overseas interests while adhering to non-interference. It is particularly the case in the Horn of Africa where China has massive infrastructure investments. The Ethiopia civil war (2020-2022) in this region highlights China’s challenge of protecting overseas interests in instability. As instability intensified by uneven development in modernization is a common trend in many African countries, the challenge in Ethiopia has far-reaching implications for China’s practice in Africa. This challenge is more formidable in a hostile strategic environment featured by the U.S.-China competition. China’s effort to mediate the Ethiopia civil war reveals a shift from its solution for the Darfur crisis in Sudan in the 2000s. Despite domestic and international pressure, Beijing adopts a holistic approach to mediating the Ethiopia civil war without interference. This approach integrates peace, development, and security and advocates regional collective efforts in the Horn of Africa. It enriches the non-interference doctrine by emphasizing “African solutions to Africa problems” to oppose interference from external powers and helps foster a more favorable strategic environment for China in this region. Instability arising with economic growth in this region subtly changes Beijing’s understanding of the nexus between security and development. These changes will drive Beijing toward more mature policy and practice in Africa. For countries in the Horn of Africa, Beijing’s approach appears as a force and reference to support their refusal of external interference.