In this paper, China’s history of evolving involvement in Sudan and South Sudan and its role as a stakeholder throughout periods of conflict and civil war will be explored. China’s foreign policy actions in South Sudan, its motivations and limitations will also be analysed. In conclusion, it will be attempted to situate the case of South Sudan in China’s wider foreign policy.
China’s engagement in Africa is often harshly criticised by Western media and seen as exploitative and neo-colonialist. Undoubtedly the impact of Chinese involvement in Africa has been both positive (investments in infrastructure, new jobs, economic growth) and negative (legitimising autocratic regimes, monopolisation of resources, unequal partnerships). South Sudan is a particularly interesting case study because it has been used as a “testing ground for China’s proactive diplomacy”.
South Sudan is simultaneously the world’s youngest and most fragile state. Most Western countries consider Sudan and by extension South Sudan to be – “an aid recipient, an abuser of human rights, and a former colony of Egypt and Great Britain.”. However South Sudan is rich in terms of its oil reserves. This has both been a blessing and a curse for the young nation: On the one hand almost all of the country’s revenues stem from oil production, on the other hand it meant that South Sudan invested disproportionally in the securement of its oil resources, but not in education, public health or infrastructure. This in turn has led to an unparalleled dependence on oil: “There is no oil-exporting country in the world so dependent on this one commodity for its revenue” (Medani 2013:28). Oil is also what originally brought China to Sudan and then South Sudan. The economical dimension can’t be separated from the political here, in South Sudan we find a “striking coexistence of actual political and aspirational economic relations” (Large 2014:41).
This interwovenness of political and economic interests has proven to be an increasing challenge for China’s traditional policy of non-interference (bùgānshè zhèngcè不干涉政策). In the last few years “South Sudan has been the site of an evolving, experimental and more proactive Chinese political and security engagement.”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. China and the Two Sudans, a Complex Triangle
2.1. Early Investments, Darfur and a Peace Deal
2.2. Independence, Civil War and UNMISS
3. Non-Interference Revisited
3.1. The Challenge of Non-Interference
3.2. Balancing Self-Interest and Global Responsibility: Non-Interference in Practice
4. China’s Motivations and Limitations in South Sudan
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary research objective of this paper is to analyze the evolution of China's foreign policy from its traditional principle of "non-interference" toward a more flexible and proactive engagement in South Sudan, exploring how Beijing balances its economic self-interest with its aspirations as a global power.
- Evolution of Chinese foreign policy in the context of the two Sudans
- The paradox of the non-interference principle in conflict zones
- Soft-power interference and political capacity building in South Sudan
- The intersection of military presence, arms trade, and peacekeeping operations
- Analysis of China's shift toward "flexible intervention"
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. The Challenge of Non-Interference
The idea of non-interference or non-intervention⁵ as a pillar of Chinese foreign policy dates back to the 1950s when Zhou Enlai (Zhōu Ēnlái, 周恩来) introduced it as one of the ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence’ in 1953 and later incorporated the concept into the ‘Ten Principles’ of the 1955 Bandung Conference (Wànlóng huìyì, 万隆会议) (Chen 2016:351).
Natsios (2012:61) defines non-interference as follows: “China officially does not judge foreign governments in their own domestic decisions, and will not intervene to try to change their policies.” In a way the concept of non-interference is paradoxical: Even the deliberate choice not to take action in the national matters of another state can be a way of interfering and have unpredictable consequences. There are multiple reasons for China to pursue its non-interference policy: For once it has become the country’s approach in Sudan and elsewhere in Africa to “pursue business as a form of applied politics” (Large 2008:98). Not meddling in a country’s affairs, but to deliberately stay out of internal politics makes business easier. In return China of course expects the other countries not to interfere in Chinese affairs either. This becomes especially apparent when Tibet, Taiwan or contested border regions are concerned.⁶ Non-interference in this sense also is a mutual agreement, or at least expected to be one on part of the Chinese.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes China's historical engagement in Africa and sets the stage for the study of South Sudan as a "testing ground" for Beijing's evolving foreign policy.
2. China and the Two Sudans, a Complex Triangle: This section details the historical development of relations, tracing the shift from economic investment in Sudan to navigating the complexities of civil war and the independence of South Sudan.
3. Non-Interference Revisited: This chapter examines the theoretical and practical challenges to China’s traditional policy, highlighting the internal Chinese debate over "creative" or "flexible" involvement.
4. China’s Motivations and Limitations in South Sudan: This part analyzes the strategic drivers behind China's presence, including the military component and the limitations in resources and expertise that constrain Chinese foreign policy.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, suggesting that while China is moving toward a model of "flexible intervention," the path toward sustainable peace in South Sudan remains a complex and ongoing challenge.
Keywords
China, South Sudan, Sudan, Non-interference, Foreign Policy, Oil Industry, UNMISS, Flexible Intervention, Conflict Mediation, Sudan Civil War, Soft Power, Geopolitics, Belt and Road Initiative, Peacekeeping, International Relations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the changing nature of Chinese foreign policy in South Sudan, specifically focusing on how Beijing moves beyond its traditional rhetoric of non-interference to address conflict and protect its interests.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The key themes include the evolution of the "non-interference" doctrine, the political economy of oil-dependency, the role of China as a mediator in conflict, and the expansion of Chinese military and diplomatic presence in Africa.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks how China reconciles its long-standing non-interference policy with the practical necessity of managing conflicts and protecting economic investments in fragile, resource-rich states like South Sudan.
Which scientific methods were used?
The author employs a qualitative case study approach, utilizing primary diplomatic sources, reports from international organizations like the International Crisis Group, and academic literature to analyze the shifting behavior of China.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the historical development of bilateral relations between China and the two Sudans, the challenges faced by China in upholding its principles during the Darfur crisis, and the transition toward a "flexible intervention" strategy in South Sudan.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as non-interference, flexible intervention, soft power, peacekeeping, and geopolitical strategic interests in the Horn of Africa.
How does the "non-interference" policy differ from "flexible intervention"?
While traditional non-interference posits a strict non-judgmental stance on domestic affairs, "flexible intervention" represents a more proactive, selective engagement that facilitates political dialogue and stability to safeguard interests, as seen in China's role in the South Sudan peace process.
What role does the UN mission UNMISS play in the analysis?
UNMISS is analyzed as a critical turning point where China deployed an infantry battalion under a Chapter VII mandate, marking a significant departure from its historical avoidance of active military involvement in internal conflicts.
- Quote paper
- Dorina Marlen Heller (Author), 2018, China in South Sudan, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/512982
