CDF OpEd: China's Evacuation from Libya
By Mr. Unknown.
Chinas ongoing evacuation of its citizens from a chaotic Libya is starting to draw close scrutiny from pundits, due to the PLANs use of a 054A class Frigate (Xuzhou, FFG-530) amongst other civilian means of evacuation. Unsurprisingly, we can leave it to some media outlets to exaggerate this action into nothing less than old school imperialist gunboat diplomacy.
A not-so-subtle proclamation of Chinas menacing display of naval power came from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Elliot Abrams, who wrote the following on the CFR blog, (here)
A even more provocative article titled China Fills Libya Power Void appeared on the website of Investors Business Daily, which compared Chinas supposed assertiveness to US inaction,
Up until now, the conventional thinking from the Tom Friedman crowd claims that China is somehow engaged in a new model of commercial engagement abroad, quite unlike the old empires of the past that projected military power. That theory is out the window now with this naval action. China will defend its own, same as any other empire.
The IBD article (here) went on to argue that:
Instead of praising Chinas new-found assertiveness, perhaps the authors should have asked why was the PLAN able to sail into Libya with impunity? And why neither the rebels nor the Libyan government questioned whether China has ulterior motives other than ferrying its citizens away from the cross-fire? The correct answer is NOT Chinas determined show of force or power projection, but its record of restrained and infrequent use of force, coupled with its consistent policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. Having built up its street-cred in Africa as a non-intrusive business partner, China provoked no suspicions from either side of the Libyan upheaval on the rare occasion that it used military assets as part of the evacuation.
The authors of the aforementioned articles have drawn precisely the opposite conclusion that should have been reached. Chinas relatively smooth evacuation vis-a-vis US awkwardness represents NOT the need for aggressive intervention, but rather the power of restraint surmounting that of forceful coercion.
Chinas ongoing evacuation of its citizens from a chaotic Libya is starting to draw close scrutiny from pundits, due to the PLANs use of a 054A class Frigate (Xuzhou, FFG-530) amongst other civilian means of evacuation. Unsurprisingly, we can leave it to some media outlets to exaggerate this action into nothing less than old school imperialist gunboat diplomacy.
A not-so-subtle proclamation of Chinas menacing display of naval power came from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Elliot Abrams, who wrote the following on the CFR blog, (here)
In recent days, the White House has been saying that the United States had to watch its words and actions because American citizens were at risk in Libya. So instead of acting, we are building a diplomatic coalition. China has taken a different tack: to use power. Instead of biting their tongue, the Chinese appear to be making it clear to the Qadhafi regime that no danger to Chinese workers will be tolerated.
A even more provocative article titled China Fills Libya Power Void appeared on the website of Investors Business Daily, which compared Chinas supposed assertiveness to US inaction,
Up until now, the conventional thinking from the Tom Friedman crowd claims that China is somehow engaged in a new model of commercial engagement abroad, quite unlike the old empires of the past that projected military power. That theory is out the window now with this naval action. China will defend its own, same as any other empire.
The IBD article (here) went on to argue that:
China's assertiveness in the Libyan crisis stands in contrast to that of the U.S. By the time we! found a vessel to ferry a mere 600 nationals out of the country, the Chinese had already transported 12,000 of its people to Crete China is setting a precedent with its newfound show of force.
Instead of praising Chinas new-found assertiveness, perhaps the authors should have asked why was the PLAN able to sail into Libya with impunity? And why neither the rebels nor the Libyan government questioned whether China has ulterior motives other than ferrying its citizens away from the cross-fire? The correct answer is NOT Chinas determined show of force or power projection, but its record of restrained and infrequent use of force, coupled with its consistent policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. Having built up its street-cred in Africa as a non-intrusive business partner, China provoked no suspicions from either side of the Libyan upheaval on the rare occasion that it used military assets as part of the evacuation.
The authors of the aforementioned articles have drawn precisely the opposite conclusion that should have been reached. Chinas relatively smooth evacuation vis-a-vis US awkwardness represents NOT the need for aggressive intervention, but rather the power of restraint surmounting that of forceful coercion.
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