China presents a four-point peace formula for Africa amid expanding regional interests The framework outlined during a meeting this month between Chinese and Togolese leaders and centered on four principles, reports the South China Morning Post: African-led security, without external interference Respect for sovereignty and the principles of the UN Charter Rejection of force and sanctions, in favor of ceasefires achieved through dialogue Dual focus on immediate security concerns for the side Long-term development Such a response reflects concern about instability, as war and conflict fundamentally undermine China's interests on the ground, while navigating diplomatic coercion as China seeks to resolve conflicts without abandoning its principle of non-intervention. Instead of leading a peace process itself, China tends to support approaches led by states and regional organizations, which lends legitimacy and credibility to the Chinese approach, analysts say. The policy can be directly applied to the current tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which accuse each other of border provocations and supporting proxy forces in the Tigray region. China likely has an interest in calming the fighting, but uses its influence cautiously, pointing to Chinese-backed roads, power projects and industrial estates that cannot deliver their intended benefits without peace. China invests in the region as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, and finances projects such as Addis Ababa. Djibouti Standard Railway and holds oil, fishing and maritime interests throughout Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti.

China presents a four-point peace formula for Africa amid expanding regional interests The framework outlined during a meeting this month between Chinese and Togolese leaders and centered on four principles, reports the South China Morning Post: African-led security, without external interference Respect for sovereignty and the principles of the UN Charter Rejection of force and sanctions, in favor of ceasefires achieved through dialogue Dual focus on immediate security concerns for the side Long-term development Such a response reflects concern about instability, as war and conflict fundamentally undermine China's interests on the ground, while navigating diplomatic coercion as China seeks to resolve conflicts without abandoning its principle of non-intervention. Instead of leading a peace process itself, China tends to support approaches led by states and regional organizations, which lends legitimacy and credibility to the Chinese approach, analysts say. The policy can be directly applied to the current tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which accuse each other of border provocations and supporting proxy forces in the Tigray region. China likely has an interest in calming the fighting, but uses its influence cautiously, pointing to Chinese-backed roads, power projects and industrial estates that cannot deliver their intended benefits without peace. China invests in the region as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, and finances projects such as Addis Ababa. Djibouti Standard Railway and holds oil, fishing and maritime interests throughout Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti.