Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2016 | Page 99

Is China Playing a Contradictory Role in Africa?
medical personnel (SAFERWORLD 2011). In other words, China’s view of peacekeeping
has a heavy focus on building infrastructure, providing medical care, and
overall humanitarian assistance, as a way to promote its national interest, cement its
economic relationship with African states, project an image of non-interference and
a responsible major power in the international system (Fung 2016). This expanding
role of China beyond the geo-economic objective of pursuing resources and profits is
becoming a normal aspect of its foreign policy in the continent.
While on the one hand China’s arms transfers are linked to civil strife and
bloodletting, they are on the other hand used in peacekeeping operations. It could be
argued that Chinese arms supplies to African peacekeeping troops involved in AU or
UN peace-keeping operations play a positive role of improving peace and security. For
example, Chinese supplied arms have been used in peace-keeping by Zambian troops
in Sudan. China has consistently given its support to AU peacekeeping efforts and has
made it part of its policy orientation towards Africa. In China’s 2003 FOCAC Addis
Ababa Action Plan it was stated this way:
“We are resolved to step up cooperation and work together to support
an even greater role of the United Nations, the African Union and other
sub-regional organizations in Africa [It promised to] provide, within
the limits of its capabilities, financial and material assistance as well
as relevant training to the Peace and Security Council of the African
Union. In order to strengthen capacity of African states to undertake
peacekeeping operations, we look forward to the strengthening of
China’s cooperation with African states and sub-regional organizations
in the areas of Logistics” (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Addis
Ababa Action Plan, 2004–2006, 222).
Again, in the 2009 FOCAC Meeting, China reiterated its willingness to
continue support for AU Peace-keeping and conflict resolution. In January 2010, as
part of China’s initiative, the UN Security Council deliberated on how best to maximize
peacekeeping by the UN and sub-regional organizations. The Chinese Ambassador
to the UN, Zhang Yesui, specifically underscored the need for the international
community to aid African efforts at peace-keeping. He stated that:
“The African Union and sub-regional organizations in Africa have
been committed to resolving hotspot issues in Africa through good
offices and peacekeeping operations, but their efforts are constrained
due to deficiencies in funding and capacity building. We support the
establishment and deepening of the strategic partnership between
the United Nations and the African Union in maintaining peace and
security in Africa” (HE Ambassador, Zhang Yesui, UNSC 2010).
China’s previous rigid opposition to UN Peace-Keeping has softened since
the late 1990s. It realized that Chapter VII UN Peace-keeping had become outdated
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