Conflict prevention in the 21st century
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 4, 2016
ANNEX 4: Partnerships in Conflict Prevention: China and the UK
Project update: Issue 2
As part of Saferworld's two-year Partnerships in Conflict Prevention project, the China-UK CPWG travelled to Beijing in November 2014 where they took part in the second CPWG workshop and associated meetings. This project update (Issue 2) summarizes their discussions.
Conflict Prevention Working Group workshop two: Crisis prevention and response – China and the UK
Following an introductory workshop in London in September 2014, this second workshop explored further the theme of crisis prevention and response. The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss issues raised throughout the week in more depth, in a more intimate closed-door environment. It also gave the CPWG a chance to begin considering potential policy recommendations for future UK-China cooperation in the field of conflict prevention.
The workshop started with brainstorming around key emerging issues and new security challenges faced by China and the UK. The CPWG discussed the main drivers of the two countries' involvement in conflict prevention, as well as the associated opportunities and risks. Also debated was the impact that cultural differences have on the UK and China's respective approaches to conflict prevention. A number of similarities and differences were highlighted regarding how the UK and China address the aforementioned areas. The CPWG resolved that it was important for these differences to be recognized and their causes examined in further detail. The CPWG resolved to revisit some of the underlying assumptions and challenges that would underpin official-level UK-China dialogue on conflict prevention, including the securitization of conflict prevention, the concrete drivers for engagement on conflict prevention, the development paradigm and the impact of cultural values on how we think about conflict prevention in China and the West. They also discussed creating a lexicon of terms to examine the key conflict prevention-related terminology adopted by the CPWG moving forward.
Professor Xue Lei, a researcher at the Centre for International Law and International Organizations at the SIIS, then joined the working group, to present on his area of specialism – 'China's persuasive diplomacy'. This concept, Professor Xue argued, is part of the broader notion of preventive diplomacy in China, and incorporates ideas relating to early warning and conflict prevention more broadly. Whilst the term preventive diplomacy has negative connotations, 'persuasive diplomacy' is rather focused on the absence of coercion and respect for locally owned conflict prevention initiatives. Professor Xue described how China's involvement in crisis diplomacy is still in its early stages, and it is currently 'learning by doing'. The CPWG discussed the extent to which China's engagement in conflict affected states was driven by economic considerations, as well as the question of whether the UK and China approach crises differently due to the fact that China is currently in the process of realizing its identity and becoming more externally facing, whereas the UK narrative on conflict prevention is becoming increasingly more internally facing.
This was followed by a session focusing on China-UK cooperation in South Sudan. The CPWG was joined by Dame Rosalind Marsden (former European Union Special Representative to Sudan and Former United Kingdom Ambassador to the Republic of the Sudan), Dr Leben Moro (Professor, Centre for Peace and Development Studies and Director of External Relations, University of Juba), Mr Aly Verjee (Senior Researcher, Rift Valley Institute and Political Advisor to the IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan) and Dr Laura Barber (Africa International Affairs Programme Coordinator, London School of Economic IDEAS). Using South Sudan as a case study, participants analyzed different forms of cooperation, with a particular emphasis on the role of China and the Troika (the governments of the UK, US and Norway) in South Sudan.
The final session of the workshop considered the role of business in conflict and, more specifically, crisis response. The group discussed what duty or responsibility business has when investing in conflict areas, and whether business has a 'duty to develop'. Also debated was whether economic actors can be co-opted to be part of the development of sustainable peace, and whether China or the UK are applying this concept to their commercial strategies. The workshop closed with a discussion on next steps, including the publication of the CPWG's first briefing, relating to China, the UK and crisis prevention and response.
Throughout the remainder of the week, the CPWG took part in a series of seminars aimed at promoting greater levels of awareness and expertise on China's approach to conflict prevention, and how this compares with the UK and other international approaches. Throughout the week, the CPWG had the opportunity to engage Chinese, African and other international experts, business actors and former and current officials specializing Sudan, South Sudan, conflict prevention and related topics. What follows is a brief synopsis of each of the events. Details of the key issues discussed and associated policy recommendations will be published in a forthcoming Saferworld briefing paper.
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