Russia and China abstained on the UN Security Council resolution 1973 that established the no-fly zone in Libya. The Russians called it a hastily passed resolution that had no clear provisions for command-and-control and no clear rules of engagement. Russia felt it would not be limited to a no-fly zone, but would be extended to cover further contingencies.
After the Qaddafi regime reported 48 civilians dead and 150 wounded, the Russian Foreign ministry protested the indiscriminate use of force in Libya. China, according to its news agency Xinhua, called for strict adherence to international law and respect for Libyan sovereignty independence, unification and territorial integrity. In other words Russia and China claim that their opposition was vindicated.
But why suffice with post factum vindication? China and Russia have consistently opposed the "color revolutions" (like the "Orange Revolution" in the Ukraine) enjoying Western support that resulted in regime change. Both countries have made a point of non-interference in the internal regimes of another country even if that regime has a despicable human rights record (North Korea, Burma and Sudan instantly come to mind). Both harbor suspicion of Western intentions, so why did they let the UN resolution go through in the first place?
If we look at the decision from the Chinese perspective, a number of motivations suggest themselves. China likes to describe itself as a rising power, but perhaps more realistically, it is a power that has already risen. As such, it can no longer merely snipe at the alliances of the established powers China currently faces some of the same problems. The Libyan regime of Colonel Qaddafi was anathema to the Gulf countries and particularly the Saudis. The Chinese have extensive trade and energy relations with the Gulf. Salvaging Qaddafi would have meant alienating these countries and particularly Saudi Arabia. It was therefore worth modifying the principal and letting Qaddafi fend for himself.
Letting the resolution through was also worthwhile in terms of improving the Chinese image. It is no secret that Chinese bluster and arms buildup have alarmed both the Americans and other countries in the region. If the Chinese have any doubts on that score, they could have listened to former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in India who spoke to an audience comprised of India's political and commercial elites, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Palin talked of an alliance between democracies. She questioned the Chinese military's rise, noting that the Communist country's stockpiling of sophisticated new weaponry seemed unjustified, as China did not face an outside threat. China was therefore contemplating attack.
"What's with the military buildup?" she said. "China's military growth can't just be for defensive purposes." It was hardly a Chinese interest to reinforce these feelings by extending protection to Moammar Qaddafi.
For the Russians, an abstention was also a small price to pay. The Obama administration has been forthcoming in terms of the "reset" with Russia. Russia has been treated like a great power with regard to nuclear accords and in terms of American climbdowns on stationing antimissile systems in Eastern Europe and in relations with Georgia. In other words, Russia's sphere of interest in what Russia calls the "near abroad" is being respected. The Russians are aware that the Obama administration has been attacked for giving too much to the Russians and for ignoring Russia's authoritarian rule. Abstention was a crumb to Washington.
The Russians also feel that the American involvement in Libya does not hurt them and it could possibly prove damaging to US interests. The Libyan turmoil has already driven up the price of oil, allowing Russia to make windfall profits on its energy exports. The Russians expect that American resources will be further tied down in Libya. Either there will be a stalemate or Qaddafi will goe, but even then the US will have difficulty in stabilizing the situation. The bottom line is a further drain on US military and financial resources, giving Russian time to rebuild and modernize its armed forces. The mission could even backfire. Witness the Arab League that previously sanctioned a no-fly zone, now expressing alarm over Libyan civilian casualties as a result of coalition force bombing.
A joint interest of both China and Russia is to strengthen the UN system where they enjoy a veto. Had the Security Council Resolution on Libya fallen to such a veto this would have constituted a vindication of the "coalition of the willing" approach adopted by the Bush administration. It viewed pursuing the issue at the United Nations as simply a waste of time. Now because of the partial success, the idea that any intervention requires UN approval will gain further currency. This works to the advantage of both China and Russia.