Over the past decade, China has done well out of the principle of “non-interference” that governs its foreign policy. An increasing number of countries has engaged with Beijing, encouraged by its stated disinclination to meddle in others’ internal affairs. Today, about 850,000 Chinese work abroad, with many thousands in potentially dangerous corners of Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Recent events in East Africa are now testing the sustainability of this laid-back doctrine. The dispute between Sudan and South Sudan over how to share oil revenues following Juba’s recent independence has blocked Beijing’s seventh-largest supplier of crude oil. The political chaos in the region has also led to the kidnapping of 29 Chinese workers, causing popular discontent in Beijing.
So far, China has conveniently relied on other countries to intercede for it. The negotiations leading to last year’s peace agreement were largely conducted by a troika formed by the US, UK and Norway. The recent effort to resolve the oil dispute has been led by the African Union (AU).