China’s most important political newspaper raised the country’s criticism of Western airstrikes against Libya on Monday, comparing them to the U.S.—led invasions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, The People’s Daily, said in a commentary that the United States and its allies are violating international rules and that in places like Iraq “the unspeakable suffering of its people are a mirror and a warning.”
“The military attacks on Libya are, following on from the Afghan and Iraq wars, the third time that some countries have launched armed action against sovereign countries,” it said.
China continued to urge other nations to seek a peaceful resolution to the clash in the Middle East between Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi and rebel forces.
“No matter what pretext the military actions were under, they should not be at the cost of people’s lives and properties. This is not only the moral standard, but also the appeal from the world’s people,” it continued.
The U.N. resolution authorizing international military action in Libya allows “all necessary measures” to prevent attacks on civilians.
China has historically opposed foreign interventions of any kind as part of its longstanding policy of staying out of countries’ internal affairs.
On Sunday, the Chinese government expressed “regret” at the air assault launched over the weekend by U.S. and European forces to enforce a U.N. no—fly zone.
China was one of five countries abstaining from last week’s U.N. vote that effectively authorized the attacks. Though it ultimately didn’t block the vote, Beijing voiced “serious reservations” about the resolution.
The People’s Daily commentary again urged other nations to intensify efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the clashes.
“People have good reason to express misgivings about the consequences that this military action may precipitate,” it said.
The strikes, dubbed Operation Odyssey Dawn, marked a sharp escalation in the international effort to stop Col Qadhafi from unleashing his airpower and weaponry against rebels.
