By Mu Chunshan
Just as it seemed military strikes on Syria were inevitable, the Assad regime agreed to give up its chemical weapons. The deal reached between Russia and the U.S. happened so quickly, even the West was taken by surprise. Under the arrangement, Syria is to completely relinquish control over its chemical weapon stockpiles by mid-2014.
Of course, it is not unreasonable to question whether the deal will work as advertised, but for Syria at least, it very likely means no military action from the West for the next six months or so. Instead, action will take place under a UN framework. Viewed from China, with its policy of non-intervention in domestic affairs, the Russian contribution is laudable. Could a similar approach apply to other international hotspots?
Almost at the same time as the Syria deal was being hatched, a seminar marking the 10th anniversary of the Six-Party Talks was being held in Beijing, putting North Korea’s nuclear program back in focus. Just as diplomacy has brought some relief to Syria, to the west of Asia, could some kind of similar trade be used to bring peace to the East?
Read the full story at The Diplomat