Responsibility to Protect (R2P) emerged after the Rwanda mass atrocity in 1990 that necessitated intervention by the international community to prevent harm to human beings. The concept has continuously ascended in China and especially Beijing’s policies towards humanitarian crisis. The crises experienced in Syria, Darfur, and Libya elaborates China’s diplomacy about R2P. Further, the security concerns originating from R2P in China are affected by two factors. First, Beijing is consistently reserved because of foreign intervention that interferes with the country’s domestic problems. Secondly, China aspires to a responsible power and thus propels pragmatic policies and flexibility in policies.
Interestingly, R2P in China is increasingly shaping international order. Beijing continuously influences the evolution of contested norms while China advocates for more limited mandates, UN Security Council authority, and host state consent (Chen 699). The method used in implementing R2P in Libya gave China a leeway to engage and actively shape the development of future norms.
The main evident goal of China is to align the pillars of R2P with the foreign policy objectives and Beijing normative preferences. There are beneficial measures in China’s R2P such as refinement and clarification of the appropriate use of the military for humanitarian purposes. However, one question that arises is, “to what extent will nonwestern powers influence the development of norms in global governance and international security?”
China and the Responsibility to Protect offer insights and deeper understanding of the course themes. First, it helps in understanding the security measure in the global world. Second, article facilitates understanding of the implementation and incorporation of peace policies by international communities. Additionally, it helps in defining the roles of policymakers and protectors in advocating for R2P.
Work Cited
Chen, Zheng. "China and the responsibility to protect." Journal of Contemporary China 25.101 (2016): 686-700.
