Observers say Beijing’s attendance at the rally weighs heavily on the movement’s ability to support China’s global ambitions amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and conflicts around the world. He said that it reflects the
The war in Gaza and pushing for reform of the world’s political and economic systems dominated the speeches at the NAM summit, which is attended by 120 poor and developing countries.
China considers itself a natural partner in this movement and a member of the Global South.
The ministry said earlier this month that China “advocates for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.”
Gustavo de Carvalho, senior fellow in African governance and diplomacy at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said the movement’s importance to China lies in its “ability to shape relations and policies among other developing countries.”
China and India take legal action against Global South in race to lead developing countries
China and India take legal action against Global South in race to lead developing countries
De Carvalho said the two countries’ similar positions on the Israel-Hamas conflict could strengthen China’s position in relations with the United States, recognizing a double standard in the West’s response to the Palestinian war. He emphasized that
“Indeed, the similar perspectives of NAM and China will strengthen each other and strengthen efforts towards conflict resolution, ensuring that protecting civilians in the process is a primary responsibility,” he said. Stated.
De Carvalho said the NAM could serve as a forum for China to coordinate its foreign policy with these countries.
“With Uganda leading both the NAM and the G77 in 2024, where China is actively involved, Beijing will be able to understand and find strategic positions to influence Global South perspectives on key international issues. We can do that.”
Sub-Saharan geoeconomic analyst Ali Khan Sachu said China has a very sophisticated consensus-building and nuanced foreign policy.
“The war between Israel and Hamas was a lightning rod and divided the world in two,” Sachu said. “China can only sit back and watch the situation unfold. The United States has the pistol, and it has an empty chamber at its feet.
“Beijing is positioning itself as the leader of the new multipolar order.”
03:02
Xi Jinping calls for ceasefire in Gaza, says two-state solution is the only option for lasting peace in the region
Xi Jinping calls for ceasefire in Gaza, says two-state solution is the only option for lasting peace in the region
At the NAM Summit in Kampala, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis agreed that the movement has an important role to play “in pragmatically guiding the world.”
The movement represents more than half of the world’s population, and its “critical mass” means it could help shift the geopolitical balance from conflict and confrontation to diplomacy, he said. Stated.
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s president and NAM chairman for the next three years, also delivered a multipolar message, harshly criticizing the West and saying it should not impose a “narrow single ideological direction”. Ta.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took Israel to the International Court of Justice alleging genocide in the Gaza Strip, said the conflict was a sign of “the inadequacy of the United Nations, and in particular the United Nations Security Council, in maintaining international peace and security.” said that it showed.
What is the Global South? How is the Israel-Gaza war shaping its role?
What is the Global South? How is the Israel-Gaza war shaping its role?
Seifdein Adem, an Ethiopian international affairs professor at Japan’s Doshisha University, said it was not surprising that non-aligned countries and China had similar views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“However, the contrast between the new world order led by China, which is slowly but surely coming to fruition, and the Western world order led by the United States will certainly become clearer,” Adem said.
“In that sense, the NAM statement has broader geopolitical significance.
“Decisions of organizations like NAM are important for China in that they can help China assess its international diplomacy and adjust as necessary,” Adem said.
John Calabrese, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said Beijing “will ride this wave of pro-Palestinian sentiment and help exploit and fuel anti-Western rhetoric related to the conflict.”
Calabrese said China played a prominent role in the 1955 Bandung Conference, which laid the foundations for the Non-Aligned Movement.
Some scholars have argued that the conference formed communist China’s national identity as a member of the Afro-Asian world, in solidarity with nations and movements seeking to free themselves from the shackles of colonial rule.
“China’s involvement in the NAM and its role in joining and establishing a number of multilateral organizations comprised primarily of non-Western developing countries will, in some ways, challenge and support US/Western hegemony. It is a rekindling of this commitment, shaping a multipolar order,” Calabrese said.
Nevertheless, Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics and international relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, believes that the whole “emerging power” phenomenon is a result of key members of the NAM gaining independent influence in world affairs. He said that it means that
“China needs to stand by them, but big powers like Turkey and Indonesia have their own ambitions,” he said.
“But the first test of whether any of these can have any influence will be whether the emerging powers can play a significant role in persuading Israel to accept Palestine as a recognized state. .”