China’s Changing Engagement in Global Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: Drivers and Future Trends

Abstract

The study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the drivers of China's peace-building engagement and examine the interactive nature of the various drivers and factors that played a remarkable role in increasing China's economic rise and leadership in the international system. The descriptive-analytical method and Hudson's foreign policy analysis are fruitfully adopted, illustrating China's aims and motivations for engaging in peacebuilding. The paper concludes that China seeks to shape its great power, leadership, and identity. The case studies revealed that China's economic engagement as part of its peace-building efforts is increasingly driven by Chinese great power status and geostrategic security interests. Simultaneously, as seen in the Darfur War, Myanmar, Mali, South Sudan, and Afghanistan, China's policy towards conflict zones has undergone a tangible and salient transition from one of avoidance to one of increasing interest and engagement.