| 16 Mai 2013
Geneva/Beijing (ICRC) – Peter Maurer, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), completed a three-day visit to China today.
Mr Maurer met with President Xi Jinping to exchange views on the humanitarian situation in some of the most conflict-affected countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Mr Maurer reaffirmed the ICRC's commitment to neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian action. Both sides expressed the wish to strengthen cooperation.
“This visit was an opportunity to share the ICRC’s 150 years’ experience of humanitarian action and to learn from Chinese experiences,” said Mr Maurer. “The world is facing daunting humanitarian challenges, and a worldwide effort is required to create innovative solutions to better respond to the needs of the most vulnerable. I look forward to working closely with China on these issues.”
In addition, Mr Maurer had meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and high-ranking representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Public Security to discuss ongoing programmes.
The ICRC President also met with Hua Jianmin, the president of the Red Cross Society of China and Dr Zhao Baige, executive vice-president, reviewing the existing cooperation and discussing potential areas for development, in order to strengthen this important relationship.
Mr Maurer also attended the Sino-African international cooperation seminar entitled "Development and Humanitarian Action," where he spoke on the issue of global safety, sustainable development and humanitarian aid.