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Interview: ICRC, China should enhance cooperation in humanitarian affairs: ICRC chief

Xinhua, March 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

China is a signatory country to the Geneva Conventions, and it respects and fulfills its obligation and has been a visible proponent of international humanitarian law for decades, said Peter Maurer, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) on Friday.

There is a commonality of interest between China and ICRC, which is mandated by signatories to the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols to protect victims of international and internal armed conflicts, said the ICRC president in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

The president of the international humanitarian organization said that China has been growing at a fast pace in recent years and is gaining influence in international affairs. The ICRC, for its part, is also contributing to the world's stability. Therefore there is a commonality of interest and perspective that the ICRC and China can jointly work on.

Maurer also noted the Belt and Road initiative which has been proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. He stressed that the ICRC looks forward to holding more discussions on joint activities as well as support China can contribute to international humanitarian affairs.

"I have thought a lot about the Belt and Road initiative proposed by China. The ICRC are quite active in many countries along the one belt and one road, which is of interest to China, because there are some tensions. The ICRC is working to diminish such tensions," said Maurer, adding that the ICRC hopes the commonality of interest will translate into more support from China in humanitarian issues.

When talking about the plans for future cooperation between China and the ICRC, Maurer said he has newly nominated his personal envoy on China affairs in order to enhance cooperation.

He believes that the ICRC and China can achieve more structure, with regular discussions in the future on matters of global concern, including the protection of workers' health and other pressing health and welfare related matters.

During his five-day visit to Afghanistan, Maurer announced a budget increase of 10 percent in Afghanistan this year when meeting with Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

The ICRC chief explained the budget increase as being a logical response to the need of Afghan people, as Afghanistan has seen a deterioration of security and a wave of withdrawal of other international organizations.

He appealed to the international community to search for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan to help reduce the pressure on international humanitarian affairs.

In addition, he called on the international community and all the parties related within Afghanistan, to fully respect the international law and accelerate the negotiations to reach a solution.

There are around 1,800 staff working for the ICRC's operation in Afghanistan, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. Enditem