“The diplomatic presence would allow China to better protect its economic interests and also to position itself for potential reconstruction opportunities as the situation in Libya stabilised.

China continues to avoid entanglement in Libya’s internal rivalries and prefers to maintain flexibility while engaging cautiously with all relevant actors. The reopening signals a return to normal diplomatic operations and a desire to keep a foot in the door in a strategically relevant but still volatile environment.”

Andrea Ghiselli (T.wai & University of Exeter) is mentioned in the article “China sends envoy to Libya after embassy shuttered for more than a decade” on the South China Morning Post.