John Kerry kick-started 2014 with his tenth trip to the Middle East as US Secretary of State, trying to broker peace between Palestine and Israel. Just days prior to the end of 2013, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi ended his Middle East trip after visiting Palestine, Israel and three other countries. As a former diplomat, I have profound respect for the two chief diplomats’ dedication to their jobs.
Wu Sike
For its conspicuous changes over the past year, the Middle East has continued to be a focus of international attention. Troubles arose again in Egypt’s political transition. With leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood turning from national leaders into convicted prisoners, and their organization designated as a terrorist entity, Islamic forces have suffered a severe blow. The country’s exploration for a suitable path of development appears even more challenging and tortuous than ever. And its spill-over effects have already become evident in some countries in the region. While hot-spot issues in the Middle East continue to stoke worries around the world, the international community, with faith, consensus and actions, has jointly initiated the successful practice of handling such crises through political means. Such regional hot issues as the Syrian chemical weapons crisis and the Iranian nuclear issue seem to have found peaceful solutions; the long-stagnant peace talks between Palestine and Israel are being re-started. The previous state of hopelessness is giving way to inspiring new inroads.
In the past year, Chinese involvement in Middle East affairs displayed China’s diplomatic philosophy, and played a constructive role. An outstanding characteristic of China’s Middle East diplomacy has been its insistence on a political solution to regional hot-spot issues. Immediately after they took office, China’s new leaders invited Palestinian and Israeli leaders to visit Beijing, and put forward a “four-point proposal” on the resolution of the Palestine issue, demonstrating a keen commitment to world peace as a responsible big country. China’s adherence to solving disputes through political means has generated impressive outcomes in defusing the Syrian chemical weapons crisis and the Iranian nuclear issue, showing China’s strong sense of responsibility as a big country.
China’s insistence on respecting all countries’ voluntary choices of path of development that suit their own national conditions, and its close communication with all sides and exchanges with them over ideas of governance and development reflect the goodwill and inclusiveness of Chinese civilization. China and Middle Eastern countries have made concerted efforts to eliminate the disruption of factors such as instability, and to uphold the political ideal of mutual benefits, win-win cooperation, common development, and common prosperity. The concept of a “human community of common destiny” China advocates is also gradually revealing its profound connotations and significance in promoting the resolution of hotspot issues in the Mideast, and preserving regional peace and development.
In 2014, the Mideast will undergo important tests in major regional issues. Will Syria’s chemical weapons be destroyed; the second Geneva meeting on the Syrian crisis be held as scheduled; and the dual-track crisis-resolution scheme proceed as expected?
Will the first-stage agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue be fully implemented and the fine momentum be sustained, and the nuclear issue finally be resolved? Will the capricious peace talks between Palestine and Israel meet the preset deadline and make a substantive breakthrough, opening a new chapter of peace for both sides? Will the roadmap for Egyptian political transition be implemented as planned, leading the regional power toward stability and new prosperity? These questions are not only related to the future and destiny of the relevant countries and their peoples. They are at the same time related to the big picture of the peace and development of the region, even the world as a whole. Positive answers deserve the attention and joint effort in a global context.
Where there is turmoil, there is soil for terrorism to breed and multiply. The high number of terrorist forces in such areas as the Arabian Peninsula, north Africa, and Syria sounded an alarm for the world: terrorism has already become a hazard to all human beings, and fighting terrorism has thus become a common task facing the world. The fight against terrorism must target both its root causes and symptoms. Promoting the resolution of hot-spot issues in the Middle East, and supporting the stable transformation of transitional societies are essential to the eradication of terrorism. They entail the concerted efforts and mutual support of the international community and each country.
As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the United States have common tasks and interests in realizing peace and stability in the Middle East. The two countries have conducted fruitful exchanges and collaboration, and established mechanisms for a strategic dialogue on regional issues. Given the new conditions and challenges, it is necessary for China and the US to enhance communication and coordination in the Security Council and various other mechanisms in 2014. In the meantime, both countries should increase their interaction with Arab countries, as well as such regional organizations as the League of Arab States and Gulf Cooperation Council; press for the political resolution of all kinds of disputes; promote all political forces to work for reconciliation and a harmonious co-existence; and gradually reduce the living space for terrorist forces.
In 2014, China and the US will see broader prospects for their collaboration in Middle Eastern affairs. Their new type of big country relationship will also display new dimensions.
Wu Sike is a Chinese special envoy to the Middle East, a member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and a member on the Foreign Policy Consulting Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
