[Beijing Diary] China’s Unique Neutralism

China recently seems to be enamored with the image of ‘neutrality’ and ‘mediation.’ Following its mediation in the restoration of diplomatic relations between longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s diplomatic moves have become even more assertive after holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a party to the war. Using the rhetoric of a ‘peace evangelist’ that dialogue, not sanctions, is the way to resolve conflicts, China criticizes the United States for directly intervening in the war by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Although it is a different issue, China has also taken a neutral stance on the sovereignty dispute over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the Northern Territories), contested by Russia and Japan, for the first time in 60 years.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, in Europe, a trend of ‘de-neutralization’ is underway. Finland abandoned its 74-year status as a neutral country and became the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with neighboring Sweden expected to follow suit. Finland shares a 1,340 km border with Russia, so Russia, which sought to prevent NATO’s eastward expansion, has suffered a significant blow. As a result, only four neutral countries remain in Europe: Austria, Ireland, Malta, and Switzerland. Even these countries mostly maintain military neutrality, but politically and in public opinion, they have already leaned toward Ukraine.

Considering that the opposite of neutrality is alliance, China’s current course is far from the dictionary definition of neutrality. By exporting components that can be used for military purposes to Russia and importing Russian energy, whose global market access has been blocked, thus providing financial support, China has effectively proven over the past year that the two countries are in an alliance. This is a fact recognized and criticized by the entire world except China.

While maintaining a behind-the-scenes alliance with Russia, President Xi is simultaneously demonstrating an expansive neutral stance on the global diplomatic stage, which could be called ‘China-style neutrality.’ Even as he held successive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who visited China, he neither condemned nor supported Russia. Meanwhile, calls for Xi’s decisive action are growing louder, and his presence and value are soaring higher than ever.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the 16th-century governance manual The Prince, Machiavelli said, “Neutrality creates enemies.” He argued that “a prince is respected when he clearly states whether he is a true ally or an open enemy, that is, when he supports one prince against another without hesitation,” and that “this is always better than maintaining neutrality.” Since it is difficult to expect any goodwill from either the victors or the losers after a war, neutrality inevitably leads to a difficult situation.

Wars eventually end, and China’s ambiguous neutrality, which is more ambiguous than both sides being right or wrong, will not last long. Its rhetoric, which is vast in interpretive scope and more complex than a quartic equation, may also give rise to long afterwords and resentment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.