China and Darfur have a long relationship and it has strengthened over the years, to a point where the Chinese are a major source of investment and trade to the Sudanese government. One of the main commodities imported by China is oil. The Chinese are most definitely pro-Sudan and have been reluctant to address the on-going genocide in the country.

The latest report by Amnesty International claims that China has been supplying the Sudan government with weapons despite the UN weapons embargo in place against supplying weapons to DARFUR government (AI also claims that Russia is doing the same). In addition to this, the Chinese have used their veto in the UN Security Council to block moves to sanction the Sudanese government for continued violence in Darfur. After this report released by Amnesty International, a lot of human rights groups are calling for boycotts in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Lo and behold: China appoints its first envoy for African affairs and has offered personnel to assist the international peacekeepers in Darfur. A change of heart, or a smooth PR move?

China is emerging to be a strong global player and wants to be viewed as being responsible player. They are already strong in terms of economic prowess but are sorely lacking diplomatic clout. They are trying to balance a relationship between Sudan and the rest of the world body. They definitely do not want negative attention drawn to the Olympics (matter of money and prestige), so they are changing their stance slightly to appease both Sudan and the rest of the world.

The UN arms embargo that is in place prevents arms supplies to the DARFUR state, but does not say anything about Sudan. This provides the loophole for countries like Russia and China to sell the arms to the Sudanese government. The weapons are then in turn used in Darfur. The countries that supply the arms to the Sudanese government have to be held responsible for getting the weapons to the irresponsible Sudanese government. Despite the arms being sent to Sudan, it trickles into Darfur and the genocide wages on. The UN is trying to extend the embargo to encompass all of Sudan, but in the meantime people continue to suffer and die. Does a country like China, which wants to be seen as a global player not shoulder any responsibility? China just announced an interest free loan to build a new Presidential Palace!?!?!

This has to be one of the smoothest PR moves done in China’s history. They are trying to appease without doing anything! If they really wanted to change and make an impact, why not stop the arms supply completely? Oh, wait a minute; they may lose the oil and all the other lucrative deals in place. Basically, this is just another smokescreen to make everyone think things are all rosy but behind closed doors it’s the same old story: another barrel of oil, another gun sold, one too many lives lost….