A: Hey there! Did you catch any interesting news today?
B: Not really, what's up?

A: Check this out! China set up a new international body for resolving disputes through mediation with over 30 countries, mostly from the Global South.
B: That sounds cool, but what's it all about?

A: It's called the International Organization for Mediation and they had a signing ceremony in Hong Kong. The plan is to make international dispute settlement fairer and improve representation of developing nations.
B: Oh, so it's like a peacekeeping organization but for disputes instead?

A: Exactly! And guess who the main members are? African and Asian countries with close ties to China.
B: I see... So this is China's way of deepening ties with those nations, right?

A: Seems like it! They want to create an international order that benefits them, especially amid growing rivalry between Beijing and Washington.
B: Interesting stuff! But I wonder what kind of disputes they will handle and how the organization will operate.

A: Good question! The Chinese government hasn't shared those details yet. And in 2016, China reacted strongly to a ruling by an international court about the South China Sea dispute. They didn't agree with that decision.
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China has set up an international body to resolve disputes through mediation along with more than 30 countries, mainly those of the Global South.



A signing ceremony was held in Hong Kong on Friday with 32 nations attending as founding members of the International Organization for Mediation, to be headquartered in the territory.



The group comprises mainly developing nations in Africa and Asia with close ties to China.



Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the new organization is designed to make international dispute settlement mechanisms fairer and beneficial to all, and improve representation of the Global South in international governance.



The Chinese government says the organization will work to resolve commercial and other international disputes. But it has not made it clear what cases the organization will handle or how it will operate.



In 2016, China reacted sharply to a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The court dismissed China's claim to the South China Sea, which is also claimed by other countries in the region.



China apparently aims to deepen ties with Global South nations and create an international order advantageous to itself amid escalating rivalry between Beijing and Washington.