Author: Miwa Hirono

To fulfil its international responsibilities, China’s argument goes, it has increased its involvement in non-traditional security issues, including post-disaster assistance. China has provided international post-disaster assistance since 2003, having dispatched rescue teams to Algeria, Iran, Pakistan, Aceh, Yogyakarta, and most recently, Haiti. China’s efforts, especially in Haiti, have attracted international praise. Its purportedly skilled and professional international rescue team was amongst the first that arrived in the disaster zone.

Post-disaster assistance, however, presents China with a significant political challenge. Read more…