Çin’in Afrika’daki Barışı Koruma Misyonlarının Ardındaki Nedenler: Pekin’in Stratejik Düşüncelerini Yorumlama
Behind China’s Peacekeeping Missions in Africa: Interpreting Beijing’s Strategic Considerations

Summary/Abstract: In recent decade, China has actively participated in peacekeeping missions around the world. This demarche in Beijing’s foreign policy, especially in Africa, has drawn significant global attention. This paper examines the motivations and capacity of China’s peacekeeping efforts in Africa as a case study inclusive of the country’s strategic and diplomatic considerations. We find that China’s peace-keeping on the continent is not a ploy, as Realist scholars argue, by this rising state to siphon power from the current international order to fuel the formation of a new Sino-centric one. Instead, China’s African peacekeeping missions should be seen (beyond their obvious humanitarian benefit) as high-profile means of cultivating authority within the existing worldsystem. In other words, China’s peacekeeping in Africa is a strategic move (one not without major risks) by which the country gains greater respect and influence on the world-stage without wresting the world-system from the West. Contrary to Realist prophesies of wars-of-power transition stirred by an awakening East, China in Africa sees the merits of pursuing its share of world-power through peace.

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