China's constructive role in the world's pressing issues

China, a rising superpower, has increasingly taken on a more constructive role in addressing some of the world's most pressing issues. One such issue is the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has been ravaging the country since 2014, causing immense suffering to its people. The war has been marked by brutal airstrikes, a humanitarian crisis and a severe cholera outbreak.

While many Western countries have been largely preoccupied with their own interests in the region, China has been actively working towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. In 2018, China proposed a four-point plan to resolve the conflict in Yemen, which called for an immediate ceasefire, the reopening of ports, a political dialogue and the provision of humanitarian aid. The plan was welcomed by both the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels, and was seen as a step towards ending the violence.

Similarly, China has played a constructive role in the recent Saudi-Iran deal, which has been seen as a major breakthrough in the region. The deal, which was brokered by Oman, saw the two countries agree to restore diplomatic ties and engage in a dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. China played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the talks between the two countries, and its efforts were instrumental in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table.

However, perhaps one of the most notable examples of China's constructive role in the world's pressing issues has been its recent approaches to the Ukraine crisis. While the West has largely been critical of Russia's actions in the region, China has taken a more nuanced approach, seeking to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In 2015, China proposed a "dual-track" approach to resolving the conflict, which called for both a ceasefire and a political solution to the crisis. China has also been a key player in the Normandy Format talks, which have sought to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. While the talks have yet to yield a concrete outcome, China's efforts have been seen as a positive step towards ending the violence and finding a peaceful solution.

China's constructive role in these issues has not gone unnoticed by the Eastern world. Many countries in the region have welcomed China's approach, which they see as a more balanced and pragmatic approach than the West's more confrontational stance. In particular, China's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis have been seen as beneficial, with many countries in the region looking to China as a mediator in the conflict.

In conclusion, China's recent approaches to addressing some of the world's most pressing issues have been notable for their constructive and pragmatic nature. While the West has largely been preoccupied with its own interests in the region, China has been actively seeking to find peaceful solutions to these conflicts. As China continues to rise as a global superpower, its constructive role in these issues is likely to become increasingly important in shaping the global order.

Akib Irfan is a Masters recipient of Teaching of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TCFL), Central China Normal University.