The China Global Mediation Tracker, part of our expanding Rihla ATLAS initiative, maps China’s growing role in international conflict mediation over the past two decades and aims to provide both a qualitative and quantitative picture of Beijing’s mediation efforts. As China’s global footprint and foreign interests have expanded, so too has its exposure to conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, and civil war. This is prompting a more active, deliberate engagement in conflict mediation. From discreet shuttle diplomacy to headline-making breakthroughs, China is positioning itself as a mediator, especially for countries across the Global South. This tools aim to capture this evolution by documenting China’s mediation activities and spotlighting Beijing’s institutionalization of its approach through new platforms like the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
Understanding Mediation in China’s Foreign Policy
Mediation has become an increasingly important function of foreign policy for states with expanding interests in regions affected by protracted conflict. For China, mediation—or the offer of mediation—has emerged as a more routine feature of its diplomacy, providing a means to manage rising tensions in areas where it has identified key strategic interests.
Chinese Mediation Across Time
Mapping Chinese Global Mediation
© 2025 Rihla Research & Advisory LLC. All rights reserved. You may not reproduce, distribute, or transmit this material in any form beyond brief citations or excerpts without prior written permission.
This data is derived from open-source research and Rihla Research & Advisory LLC’s proprietary tracking database. It is made available for public reference and citation.
Please cite as: Jesse Marks, “Chinese Global Mediation Map,” Rihla Research & Advisory LLC, 2025.
If you are interested in partnering with us to expand this project or would like to report corrections or additions, please reach Jesse Marks at jesse.marks@rihlaadvisory.com
