Introduction -- The reasons for action: strategic preferences in explaining foreign policy -- China's strategic preferences in the UN Security Council, 1971-the mid 1980s -- China's decisions in the Security Council over the use of force (1990-2002) -- State sovereignty vs. humanitarian intervention: China's position over the establishment of no-fly zones (1991-1992) -- China and the UN sanctions regime against Iraq (1991-2002) -- Weapons inspections: China, the UN and the disarming of Iraq (1991-2002) -- Conclusions.