Ever since the outbreak of violent conflicts between the Gaddafi government and the opposition in mid-February, China has stated its stance that political settlement including dialogue, is the effective way to solve the conflict. Recently, China has stepped up its efforts to convince the two sides to seek a settlement, making contact with both sides. The current visit to China by the leader of Libya's opposition National Transitional Council, has aroused a media sensation in the rest of the world. Fintan Monaghan takes a look. China has since the start of the conflicts in Libya called for a cease-fire and a political solution to the conflicts. Hong Lei, spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "China expresses deep concern and worry over the situation in Libya. China's contact with the two sides of the conflict is meant to persuade them to take the interests of their country and people into account, cease hostilities and begin peace talks as soon as possible." Earlier this month, Chinese diplomats in Qatar met with the chairman of Libya's opposition National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil. Days later, Libyan Foreign Minister Abdul-Atial-Obeidi was dispatched to Beijing to reassert the Libyan government's position. And now, Beijing is hosting another leader of the NTC, Mahmoud Jibril. British news agency Reuters says that "courting the rebels so openly has marked a policy adjustment for China, which generally avoids wading into other nations' domestic ...