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Is it time for China to rethink non-intervention in this new age of disorder?

With the Iran crisis, the world is in a ‘jungle phase’ and Beijing should work on interventionism 2.0, government adviser says

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The Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree smoulders after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Royal Thai Navy
Shi Jiangtao
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively weaponised as part of the Iran crisis, Beijing should move beyond rigid non-intervention to take targeted action to defend its massive interests abroad, according to a leading Chinese government adviser.
In an interview published on Monday, Zheng Yongnian called for a more assertive “intervention 2.0” while avoiding US-style hegemonic overreach or “strong-arm” tactics.
He argued that China’s commitment to “absolute non-intervention” was becoming increasingly untenable as rise of the “jungle law” created disorder, evident in the self-interested power plays surrounding the Iran conflict.
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His assessment was published by the Greater Bay Area Review, a social media account affiliated with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, where Zheng is dean of the school of public policy.

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