Peace Operations Is China a Responsible Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?

Abstract

Study investigated whether or not China is a responsible member of the United Nations Security Council using her actions in Peace keeping Operations as a yardstick to measure her performances. Study used secondary data sources, and adopted thematic/content descriptive analysis. The theory of a responsible power, for the purpose of this paper, is viewed from two major perspectives, first relates to responsibility of a powerful state within the international system and then to the most important definition of responsible state from the domestic standpoint. Although China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), working for the promotion of global peace and security through international best practices, its UNSC roles seem to contrast with its national interests and domestic practices, especially with reference to respect for human rights. Owing to its human rights abuses domestically, damning reports from human rights’ groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, classify China as an irresponsible power. In spite of these criticisms, however, China believes its approach mirrors its desire to secure its national interests without compromising its critical roles as a responsible member of the UNSC, a duty it considers vital for any responsible state. Consequently, therefore, the paper contends that how China conducts itself within the UN peace operations frameworks is in tandem with actualising its national interests. Evidence from field operations suggest that China has played a modest role as a responsible power in these operations, albeit in a way that supports the pursuit of its economically driven national interests. The paper concludes that China’s peace operations efforts at the international level are therefore proactively initiated where China’s national interests are pursued in its foreign policy arena therefore making her a responsible member of the UNSC.