Libya puts China in world stage spotlight

The parallels of the Western proposals on Libya with the Iraq War are striking except that things are now on a fast-forward mode, Europe has twinned with the US without a trace of dissent and, most important, Russia and China cleared the US’ diplomatic path. China’s role is unusual in the jettisoning of its long-held principles of non-intervention and the paramouncy of national sovereignty in international life. Whether this is a one-off or it signifies China’s defining moment as US’ collaborator in securing the ‘global commons’ will come to light if and when Washington presses the UN Security Council for a ‘no-fly’ zone in Libya. My article on the implications of the Libyan crisis for the international system appeared today as lead story in Asia Times. Read more...