Written by Laurence Brahm - Published by South China Morning Post on 01/13/2009

The year has opened with an international challenge for China. Following Israel’s invasion of Gaza, how will China stand up for Arab and Islamic people? They are now wondering: where is China’s historic and traditional solidarity with underdeveloped nations? In capitals across the world, massive protests have erupted against Israel’s unilateralist invasion of Gaza – supported only by Washington. In Beijing, no voice is heard. China was quick to send protesters to boycott French businesses when French President Nicolas Sarkozy received the Dalai Lama, together with other Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Yet Mr Sarkozy is the one global leader who has taken the initiative in the Gaza conflict, flying to the Middle East to meet regional leaders and propose a ceasefire. In the world’s eyes, does China have a credibility problem with its moral responsibility?

Ironically, China has mirrored Mr Sarkozy’s example, sending a peace envoy to the Middle East – more than a week later. Palestinians remember how Arab and Islamic nations once stood steadfast behind China to support its seat on the UN Security Council. China should remember who its friends are. It has a responsibility to stand up for the developing world, and for global peace. But China cares only about mercantile interests, discarding any role that would require a moral or political stance. Some admire China’s trade diplomacy of “doing business with everyone”, seeing it as pragmatic. Others criticize it.

The Arab world is beginning to feel discouraged by China’s lack of backbone. Every year, the semi-official Sino-Arab Friendship Association invites Palestinians living in China to lunch on November 29, recognized by the UN as Palestinian Solidarity Day. However, last November, few Palestinian expatriates living in Beijing attended. “We are not beggars and do not need to be invited to eat a lunch,” said one representative. “China holds a seat on the UN Security Council. We Palestinians request China to be a true global leader and use its Security Council vote in a responsible way.” Finally, China did.

Outrage is underscored by the fact that, following the tragic earthquake in Sichuan last year, Palestinian and Arab expatriates living in two cities alone – Guangzhou and Yiwu – donated more than US$2 million. However, when Israel invaded Gaza, China – the world’s fastest-growing economy and emerging superpower – gave a measly US$1million in humanitarian aid. As one Palestinian expatriate said: “You give such trifling aid at our time of need, but the real question is, will there be any women and children alive to use it? We need China’s voice in the UN Security Council to order an Israeli ceasefire.”

Yet China instead meekly calls for “both sides” to cease fire. Its media mirrors that of the US, simplifying events by accusing Hamas of instigating the invasion by firing rockets. Meanwhile, China’s 70 million Muslims must sit by silently and watch Gaza’s holy Islamic sites being blasted to smithereens.

The Arab world expects Beijing to stand by it. But China refuses to do anything, thinking money alone can buy off the Arab world. If China does not take a position of solidarity with Arab and Islamic people, it may be in for a rude awakening this year.

China should not underestimate the influence of Hamas. This year, Beijing will face a tremendous economic slowdown leading to greater unemployment and the potential for unrest. China also has an East Turkestan separatist movement that has not yet consolidated behind a leader. If Hamas leaders were to meet any aspiring Uygur, and give him the title of leader of the East Turkestan movement, they would then have a figurehead – and China would have a bigger problem than it anticipated.

Gaza presents a unique opportunity for China to rise as a global peacemaker. Two years ago, during a state visit to Beijing, Premier Wen Jiabao called Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (whose Russian Jewish parents fled to Harbin before emigrating to Israel) a “relative”, not just a friend. Now it is China’s opportunity to use its “family” influence for global peace.

Laurence Brahm is a global activist, international mediator, political columnist and author. He is the leading advocate of a fresh development paradigm - The Himalayan Consensus - an innovative approach to development.

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