The Evolution Of China’s Non-Intervention Policy In The Case Of Sudan And South Sudan(2003-2013)

While Western development assistance to developing countries is tied to political and economic conditionality,China on the other hand,pledging to its non-intervention policy,demands no conditionality to receive aid and loans.This has spurred and strengthened China-Africa partnership but stirred up anxiety and debates in the West.China’s economic relations with Africa have grown considerably over the past two decades,calling for the restructuring of its foreign policies as it has made great efforts to make international hotspot issues peacefully settled in many places around the world including Africa.China as an emerging power faces a challenge on its road to global prominence: how to balance its increasing international responsibility with its already established foreign policy principles that have been upheld for decades.How does China deal with the contradictions between international responsibility,the non-intervention principle and protection of interests? Using the comparative case study method to evaluate its foreign policy behavior,as its relative economic power increases and its perception of threat evolves,this thesis explores China’s actions in Sudan(Darfur in 2003)and South Sudan(civil war 2013)to determine the extent/degree of change – if there is-in Chinese non-intervention principle.To support the above hypothesis,this study employs neoclassical realist casual logic and argues that a state’s intervention in another state’s internal armed conflict is determined by the increase in its relative economic power and by the change in its perception of threat to its foreign interests.In analyzing the potential for a shift in China’s non-intervention policy,this study will illustrate the extent of this shift – using Sudan and South Sudan as case studies-by identifying key factors influencing it as the two case studies carry the majority of weight influencing China’s non-intervention.This study suggests that if China continues to promote peaceful and harmonious development(building capacity is building peace)in Africa especially in South Sudan through more integration with local communities,it can significantly contribute to conflict resolution within the African continent,secure resources and protect its interests and nationals.