BEIJING: China is an important contributor to global humanitarian efforts and a key partner of the International Committee of the Red Cross in a world of intense conflicts, said a senior official of the organization.
“The ICRC is trying to ensure that international humanitarian law is a political priority everywhere in the world,” said Pierre Krahenbuhl, director-general of the ICRC, in an exclusive interview with China Daily in Beijing last week. “And when a country like China takes a position on that, we think it’s important, and we want every single country in the world to take this very seriously.”
Krahenbuhl said an important and resonant message from China came when President Xi Jinping highlighted, during a meeting in September with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric, that humanitarianism is the great consensus that can unite different civilizations.
“I find that a voice like China’s is heard on the need to respect civilians in times of armed conflict, on the importance of protecting prisoners of war, as well as (the importance of showing) respect to women and children and refugees, displaced persons in times of war,” he said.
Disrespect for international humanitarian law is documented every day, evidenced by the loss of lives and suffering inflicted by violence in several countries and regions. “We value when states take a leading voice on calling for better respect,” Krahenbuhl said, noting that China was among the first signatories to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which have been the cornerstone for upholding human dignity amid armed conflicts for 75 years. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
