In The News

China Filling Void Left by West in UN Peacekeeping

Colum Lynch November 27, 2006
Joining the UN in 1971, modern China did not become active in peacekeeping efforts until after the conclusion of the Cold War. But as a rising economic power, China increasingly contributes to more UN peacekeeping efforts, particularly in Africa, a center for Chinese trade deals and foreign investment. The Chinese ambassador to the UN took the lead in criticizing major powers during summer 2006...

Beijing’s African Summit: Why China Is Wooing the Dark Continent

Eric S. Margolis November 17, 2006
China recently gave a grand welcome to 48 leaders from Africa and passed out $10 billion in aid. As a country that gets about one-third of its oil from Africa, China refuses to criticize human-rights violations that are common throughout the continent. In embracing diplomacy and resisting military action, China has built up an ample trade surplus and more than $1 trillion cash reserves. With such...

Unifying the UN

Shaukat Aziz November 9, 2006
An increasingly interconnected world cannot withstand enormous inequality. An overhaul of the UN system is in order or the international body will be marginalized, warn prime ministers from Pakistan, Mozambique and Norway, who were charged by the UN secretary general to offer recommendations on improving policies in three key areas: sustainable development, response to world crises and...

The Perils of Beijing’s Africa Strategy

Elizabeth Economy November 7, 2006
As China wines and dines African leaders in Beijing this week, it ought to be aware not only of its own success in courting Africa but in the limits of that success. China has established major economic links throughout Africa in no small part because of its laissez-faire approach to African countries’ internal politics, doing business with nations like Sudan and Zimbabwe despite of their poor...

Pyongyang: Let’s Talk, But Change the Subject

Nayan Chanda November 7, 2006
North Korea has developed a negotiating strategy that takes the country to the edge of major crisis before pulling back in exchange for some concessions. By actually testing a nuclear device in early October, North Korea has gone over the red line that was drawn by the US, China and other powers. But true to style, North Korea has returned to the negotiating table, says Nayan Chanda, and hopes...

Beijing Hosts Big Africa Summit as West Watches

Shai Oster October 25, 2006
China has made no secret of its interest in Africa. Now the nation will host a lavish summit for the leaders of 48 African nations. One assistant foreign minister fends off criticism about China’s motives, pointing out that the nation pursues mutual interests with Africa in a transparent and open manner. “China has nothing to hide,” said Zhai Jun. Western oil companies have expressed some...

The Never-Ending Myanmar Nightmare

Daniel Pepper September 30, 2006
The ruling military junta in Burma does not care what the world thinks about its rule. Though the junta pays no heed to outside pressure, some neighbors are intent on fostering relations or at least paying the government for permission to tap into its rich natural gas resources. While the Western countries largely shun the military regime, China and India stand ready to pay up to $17 billion...