China has proven that it has more than a single arrow in its quiver when it comes to dealing with Third World despots.
The standard Chinese policy, which ignores the evils of dictators, is euphemistically called "mutual non-interference" and proved more than adequate for regimes ranging from the military clique in Burma to Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe
The policy enabled getting down to business deals and mutual advantage. The Chinese could get raw materials and energy products and pay for them with Chinese goods and infrastructure projects. The despotic regimes, many of them taking a cut from the raw material sales, were only too happy to deal with a regime that did not lecture them like the Western states and could be counted upon to exercise a protective veto power in the United Nations.
Sometimes despots are deposed, but often this is only after an extended conflict. In this situation the Chinese have successfully positioned themselves as a party that maintains lines of communications open to both sides and can better deliver each of the sides. This service is touted as being in the name of peace and responsibility, not self-interest.
This transition is apparent in the current state visit by Sudan's Omar al-Bashir to Beijing. Two indictments have been handed down against al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court for the repression in Darfur. China has long protected al-Bashir and his regime in Sudan from which it perceives 7% of its oil needs.
“China is not a signatory of the ICC ... and we reserve our opinion on the ICC’s prosecution of al-Bashir,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told a news conference. He also noted that al-Bashir had been warmly received by other countries. The guest was met by Chinese President Hu Jin Tao, held talks with additional Chinese leaders and was feted by the official press.
The Chinese then placed the talks within the context of the peace process between all Bashir's North Sudan and the soon-to-be independent southern Sudan. "Whatever we are doing now is aimed at stability and peace in the region," Chinese vice foreign minister Cui Tiankai told CNN a week before al-Bashir's visit.
The Chinese News Agency Xinhua noted " China has managed to maintain close contact with both the South and North. Taking advantage of this position, China has made intensive diplomatic efforts to help achieve peace in Sudan."
In addition to justifying its diplomatic position, China has a practical reason for promoting stability in Sudan. Most of the oil fields are located in southern Sudan, however the pipelines' terminus and the ports from which the oil is exported are in northern Sudan. Peace is necessary to ensure that China receives its oil supplies from Sudan.