Context
Libyan opposition members on Thursday vowed to strengthen relations with China and protect its business interests in the region they control, during meeting with a senior Chinese envoy in Benghazi. Chen Xiaodong, the director general of North African and West Asian Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry, met officials of the National Transition Council, including the NTC executive office’s deputy head Ali Essawi. Chen stressed the need for restoring peace in the country as soon as possible and announced support for the mediation proposals put forward by global bodies like the African Union. This is the fourth time the two sides have met during the past month.
