China called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya yesterday, following a third round of air strikes by US and European allies on Monday night.
Meanwhile, China is also facing questions about its decision to abstain instead of vetoing UN resolution No 1973 last week, which virtually authorises military intervention to impose a no-fly zone.
Mainland analysts said China was stuck in a dilemma where it did not want a decision different from the United States and the African regions, while trying to stick to its long-standing non-interference policy.
The dilemma explained China's decision to abstain on the resolution that virtually authorises air strikes to impose a no-fly zone in Libya, weeks after it supported UN economic sanctions against the North African country.
In the past few days, Beijing has harshly criticised the bombings on Libyan air defences and government targets.
'[We understand] Libya has already requested its army to stop all military actions. We therefore urge all sides to immediately cease fire and resolve the problem through peaceful means,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said yesterday at a regular briefing, citing reports that the bombings had caused civilian casualties and could result in a 'humanitarian disaster'. Yu said: 'We support the continued diplomatic efforts by the UN special envoy on Libya, the African Union and the Arab League to reach for a peaceful solution on the current crisis.'
Since the bombings began on Saturday, the central government has, through its Foreign Ministry and the People's Daily, condemned the operation, comparing it to US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and criticising the often so-called humanitarian interventions as masked attempts to topple regimes disliked by the West or simply to protect their own economic interests. Russian Prime Minister Vladamir Putin has called the attacks a 'crusade'. Splits are also appearing in the coalition, mainly comprising France, the United States and Britain, as domestic opposition increases in the latter two.