The Russia-Georgia clash poses major difficulties for Chinese foreign policy. China is trapped in a serious dilemma as to how Beijing should respond. Its coincidence with the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics did not please the Chinese leaders, but Moscow’s official recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia – two breakaway areas within the Georgian territory – as independent states, truly stunned China. The cross-fire exchange between Russia and the United States has also left Beijing in an embarrassing position.
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