China dilemma: Interview with Prof Zhiqun Zhu

ZZ: China is under heavy pressure to behave responsibly as a major power now. I think China is not opposed to Iran's development of nuclear program for peaceful purposes. But remarks by some Iranian leaders that Iran should wipe out Israel from the map and Iran has the right to develop nuclear weapons to defend itself make China and the international community very uneasy and nervous.

Chinais in a dilemma. China is opposed to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Developing nuclear weapons has become very destabilizing for the regions involved. Though China has good relations with both Iran and North Korea, it wants to join the international community and put some pressure on them. This is a responsible behavior by a great power.

On the other hand, China has strong economic interests in Iran and it will not cut its economic relations with Iran. China considers Iran a major economic partner and has encouraged investment in Iran. So China's Iran policy is very illustrative of the contradictions and dilemmas in China's foreign policy.

KZ: And finally, does China accompany the United States in its efforts to pressure Syria over the year-long conflict and unrest in the country? Russia has categorically rejected sanctions and military intervention in Syria. What's the position of China? It seems that China has preferred to keep a low profile regarding the revolutions of the Middle East because of its close economic ties to the regional countries. What's your idea?

ZZ: In principle, China wishes to keep a low-profile in international affairs and it is opposed to the use of force in international relations. So I think China will join Russia in the Syria case.

Chinais one of the very few powers that maintain good relations with all countries in the Middle East, so apparently the expectations are high for China, and China can and probably should contribute more to the peaceful settlement of problems in the Middle East.