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In a landmark development, a group of Iranians, on April 22, left for Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage for the first time in nine years as an indication of steady improvement in bilateral relations of the two countries. This appends to be an outcome of the reconciliatory efforts made behind-the-scene by China to help sort out differences between the two Muslim states. and move towards a cooperative relationship. It was due to mediation of Beijing that the two countries concluded an epoch-making deal to restore their diplomatic ties and reopen their respective embassies. The development, seen as a sort of diplomatic coup, made policy and decision-makers in some of the Western capitals uneasy, as it highlighted China’s growing leverage as peacemaker and mediator. These western diplomatic circles also cast doubts about sustainability of the reconciliatory efforts given the deep-rooted misunderstanding between Riyadh and Tehran. However, the departure of the first group of Umrah pilgrims and the plan to send 5,720 pilgrims for Umrah during the year is testament to improving relations. This gradual improvement in relations also confirms the meticulous work done by Chinese away from the media galore to help forge amity between the two rivals for the sake of regional and global peace and security.
In fact, China has established its credentials as a champion of peace, progress and prosperity because of its firm and consistent adherence to the policy of mutual co-existence pursued religiously by its successive leaders and governments. The five principles of peaceful co-existence – mutual respect for territory integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equity and mutual benefits and peaceful co-existence – expounded by Chairman Mao Zedong soon after the birth of New China have strictly been followed by the country since then. It would not be an exaggeration to say that as a responsible member of the international community, China is, perhaps, the only country that conducts its foreign policy rigorously in line with the UN Charter that lays emphasis on peace and security. It is a member of almost all universal inter-governmental organizations and a party to over 600 international conventions. China has concluded more than 27,000 bilateral treaties and fulfilled in good faith its international obligations. It is no secret that China made rapid progress and transformed from regional to global power within no time but despite its economic and military might and clout, the country never pressurized small countries and avoided use of force to settle territorial disputes. Despite its military prowess and resources to do so, China has not resorted to military solution of the border regions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet and Taiwan and always preferred the policy of restraint and dialogue & discussions.
While China adopted peaceful posture throughout, its focus towards reconciliation, mediation, conflict resolution and shared prosperity became markedly visible since assumption of power by its visionary leader President Xi Jinping in 2012 and the launch of the game changer ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) that envisages linking of the five continents in a series of mutually beneficial projects. These projects are not only accelerating the pace of socio-economic progress in different parts and regions of the globe but the factor of inter-dependency is also becoming instrumental in promoting peace and security. The BRI is, therefore, serving as a strong incentive for the participating countries to seek conflict resolution through peaceful means. Diplomatic observers point out that China stepped up its public mediation efforts with a focus on South Asia, the Middle-East and East Africa.
Apart from brokering a peace deal between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran, which has a soothing effect on the overall regional environment, the Chinese President also made concrete moves to promote a comprehensive partnership with the Russian Federation. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record US$240 billion in 2023, Russian gas is fuelling Chinese homes and Chinese automobiles are running on Russian roads. The two countries are also cooperating in efforts aimed at forging durable peace and security in the troubled Afghanistan.
Chinese focus on mediation and peaceful resolution of conflicts is also reflective in the decision of its Foreign Ministry to appoint several special envoys to global hotspots. These include special representatives for Horn of Africa Affairs, Eurasian Affairs, Middle East issue, Afghanistan, Korean Peninsula Affairs, and Pacific Island Countries Affairs. Their appointment and activities have enabled China on various occasions to take a lead in peace moves in different regions of the globe. The sincere efforts that China has all along made to try to achieve the goal of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan also speak volumes about the country’s focus on peaceful resolution of the conflicts. Palestinian issue is at the heart of turmoil and instability in the Middle-East. China believes a two-state solution is crucial for upholding fairness and justice and therefore, supports the Palestinian people in their just cause of restoring legitimate national rights. Regarding Gaza, China has been demanding immediate ceasefire terming the regretting of Palestinians as unacceptable.
It may be pointed out that in February this year, China announced a significant move of opening in Hong Kong a preparatory office for the establishment of an International Organization for Mediation, a new platform aimed at promoting peaceful resolution of disputes, for which several countries including Pakistan have signed up.
China has also bolstered its image as a peace-maker by consistently championing the cause for international peace and participating in the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation process. It is not a coincidence that China is the largest contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council and has the distinction of the only member of the nuclear club to have committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons whereas others have openly been hurling threats about use of weapons of mass destruction against other countries.
Lastly, but very importantly, it may also be pointed out that whereas other major powers and influential countries use tactics like pre-emptive strikes, regime change and sanctions to advance their regional and global agenda, President Xi distinctively stands by launching two historic initiatives aimed at changing the destiny of those who lag behind in progress and development. While BRI is aimed at deepening regional integration, promoting trade and stimulating economic growth, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is funding infrastructure for tomorrow and that too without strings attached. It can safely be concluded that under the dynamic leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has a vision for a peaceful and prosperous world and this vision is gaining greater acceptability globally with the passage of time as is evident from the fact that 154 countries have affiliated with the Belt and Road Initiative.
