ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews China's concept of humanitarianism in a historical perspective. It assesses the development of China's humanitarian action in the post-Cold War era with the aim of shedding some light on the points of convergence and divergence between the country and the international community. The chapter discusses the implications of China's approach to humanitarian action with respect to the traditional donor countries in the present and the future. In terms of recent international humanitarian engagement, China's response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa marked the extension of Chinese humanitarian aid to countries facing a public health emergency for the first time. The international community should capitalise on the growing Chinese engagement in peacekeeping, as this presents a solid future basis upon which to strengthen other aspects of joint humanitarian action. Yet arguably the most conspicuous point of contention between China and the West is the concept of humanitarian intervention enshrined in the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P).