Interview: China increasingly important in global humanitarian affairs: ICRC president

BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- China is an important participant and promoter of multilateral cooperation and international humanitarian cause and is playing an increasingly significant role in international humanitarianism, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Wednesday.

The ICRC president, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua during her first official visit to China since assuming the presidency last October.

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the ICRC and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Spoljaric said over the past 160 years, the ICRC has been dedicated to championing international humanitarianism, adding that amid the complex global situation, humanitarian causes need more like-minded partners.

China was one of the first countries to accede to the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and has been an active party in shouldering international humanitarian responsibilities.

"In recent years, China consistently sent medical teams and medical workers to countries and regions in need of humanitarian aid, providing services to local people. This demonstrates China's commitment to medical assistance for foreign countries," said Spoljaric.

Recalling the humanitarian relief work in the relevant areas of Türkiye and Syria hit hard by the devastating earthquakes earlier this year, Spoljaric said the Red Cross Society of China was among the first partners to contact the ICRC to offer cooperation and support. The ICRC highly appreciates China's active role and its vital contributions to the international humanitarian cause, she added.

Regarding the 49th Florence Nightingale Award Ceremony she attended on Tuesday in Beijing, Spoljaric said the seven Chinese recipients of the medal have made outstanding contributions in their professional fields and demonstrated the spirit of Florence Nightingale.

"With concrete actions, they have illustrated the basic tenets of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and put into practice the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity," said the ICRC president.

She noted that China has become the country with the most recipients of the 49th Florence Nightingale Awards, which shows that the ICRC and the international community highly recognize China's humanitarian achievements.

Looking ahead, Spoljaric said the ICRC seeks to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side in the humanitarian field under the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen cooperation in such areas as international humanitarian law and health, and further exchange experience.

"The ICRC needs more support from China in advancing the international humanitarian cause," said Spoljaric, adding it is hoped the two sides can make joint contributions to promoting world peace and development.