China’s Track-II diplomacy: A win-win game theory | By Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

6 May, 09:59

After the official visit of Xi to Moscow the Chinese government and policy makers have been striving hard to win substantial support from the main regional stakeholders as well as international players to reach some kind of sustainable truce in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict which vividly reflect it peaceful persuasions towards a win-win game situation for all which is indeed a good omen for the regional peace, stability and harmony.

Interestingly, in the near past French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen personally visited Beijing to thoroughly discuss the possibilities of some diplomatic breakthrough on the issue of Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also talked about gearing-up of economic cooperation and mutual interests.

The body language of these leaders clearly suggested high level of political understanding, willingness of immense economic integration and last but not least recognition of diplomatic efforts to resolve the burning issue of Ukraine as soon as possible.

Despite western false, fake, fabricated and fictional propaganda about Chineses pro-Russia neutrality and untrue supply of arms to Russia the Chinese government has been sincerely advocating Constructive Neutrality to resolve the prevailing threat of Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In this regard, the Chinese foreign ministry has been emphasizing the need to give a chance to meaningful and interactive diplomacy to overcome the differences, matching with preferential preferences of both the conflicting parties. Afterwards, sincere Chinese efforts were launched to contact the political leadership of both the sides to start spells of peaceful negotiations.

In an interesting diplomatic gesture the Chinese government has decided to send a special representative to Ukraine and other countries to hold talks with all parties on resolving the crisis, Xi told Zelensky, according to a Chinese readout of the call.

During the meaningful telephone call on April 26, 2023 with the Ukrainian counterpart the Chines president Xi added amid the current rise of reasonable thinking and voices from all sides, we should seize the opportunity to build up favorable conditions for a political settlement of the crisis.

On his part, Zelensky, posting on Twitter, said that he and Xi had a long and meaningful conversation. He said that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraines ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.

Zelensky had been seeking a meeting or call with Xi since before the Xi visit to Moscow for a state visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.

China has declared itself to be neutral in the conflict in Ukraine and his meeting with Putin suggested a willingness to hear out Moscows claims that its security interests have been violated by the United States and other NATO nations in their support for Ukraine.

Hopefully, Chinas special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, will soon travel to Kyiv. He is a former Chinese ambassador to Russia and received a friendship medal from Putin in 2019.

Ahead of Xis visit to Moscow, Beijing outlined a 12 point proposal for peace in Ukraine that Washington and Kyiv have dismissed as a nonstarter.

Among the prominent international experts of International Relations, regional security and diplomacy China has long been considered a possible game changer in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Due to constant and continued western propaganda the US and Ukrainian officials fear that China could allegedly provide Russia with military aid which has been proved false and fake propaganda.

On his visit to China French president Macron has implored China to get more involved, taking advantage of its position as a rare country with some sway over Moscow to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During his three-day visit to Beijing Macron told Xi, I know I can count on you to bring Russia and everyone to the negotiating table.

Most recent telephone call to Ukraine was a diplomatic victory for China and its peaceful diplomatic efforts to discuss the prospects of dialogue, diplomacy and development orientations between the conflicting sides in the days to come.

A Biden administration spokesman said on April 26 2023 that the United States was glad to see that Xi and Zelensky had connected.

Asked about the possibility of China brokering a settlement between Kyiv and Moscow, John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said that any deal must be one that Zelensky accepts. The only settlement that we think is worth pursuing is one that President Zelensky thinks is worth pursuing, Kirby said.

The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this month that undoubtedly, China has a very effective and commanding potential for mediation, but the situation with Ukraine is complex; so far, there are no prospects for a political settlement.

Xi also told Zelensky that mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the political foundation of China-Ukraine relations.

It seems that Xis diplomatic decision to seek an active role in the mediation process brings immense opportunities for Beijing. It hopes that mediation would secure important diplomatic, geopolitical, and economic benefits for all the main stakeholders and create win-win situation for all.

Xis aims in mediating Russia-Ukraine talks appear to establish China as a leading, potentially indispensable and peaceful diplomatic force in the region and at global scene which should be highly appreciated.

Xis mediation initiative will also likely find substantial success in elevating the prestige of Chinese diplomacy, particularly in the developing world. Moscow and Beijings national narratives about the causes of the ongoing conflict have found traction outside of the West.

The numerous published articles, research papers and news items clearly indicate defeat of the Wests image in many developing countries believe the conflict in Ukraine is not their problem. More broadly, a significant portion of the international community is open to alternatives to the rules-based international order, especially on discrete issues, and will welcome Chinas growing diplomatic influence, including in Russia-Ukraine mediation.

To conclude, it hopes that Beijings facilitated peace process of conflict resolution of Russia-Ukraine will further strengthen China-Europe relations. It suggests that policy makers and military junta of the US and the West should come out from their self-defined parameters of security, regional peace and jointly work for achieving durable truce in the ongoing conflict by respecting genuine security concerns of Russia about the NATO strategic expansion at its door-step.

It also suggests that the West from Kyiv to Brussels to Washington should not waste any more time to reconcile towards resolution by showing unity and shared purpose to put an end the conflict.

It seems that Xi Jinping Global Development, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilizational Initiative have come of age and receiving immense diplomatic recognition and political acceptance in the region and around the globe which is a good omen. Conflicts are anti-human and holistic policies of China are ultimate response to global peace, stability and harmony.