While Switzerland’s attendance at the launch of a Beijing-led global mediation institute added gravitas, questions remain on whether the Chinese initiative will be seen as a break out effort to curb conflict or an attempt to undermine Western rivals. China has grand plans to set up what it hopes will be the first worldwide body to resolve international disputes through mediation. The response so far only underscores the gulf between allies of Western powers and countries that see Asia’s growing economic giant as a counterweight. A total of 85 nations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe attended a launch ceremony on May 30 for the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, China’s Foreign Ministry said. Of those, just over 30 signed a convention on the creation of the institution. Serbia and Belarus were reportedly the sole European signatories. Some see opportunities. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis who was invited by China, told delegates that his ...
