By Xinhua writers Cao Jiayue, Wang Bin, and Dong Boting

BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- China's voice on humanitarian affairs is very significant, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will work with China to mobilize attention around the need to better respect the Geneva Conventions, said Pierre Krahenbuhl, the ICRC's director-general.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on May 8, the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, Krahenbuhl shared his insights on the importance of the international humanitarian endeavor in today's world and China's global role in this regard.

Krahenbuhl, who took the new post in April, congratulated the 120th founding anniversary of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), saying the ICRC and China enjoy a close and trusted relationship that has led to fruitful outcomes over the past years.

China is not only very engaged in such areas as natural disaster response, first aid activities, and blood donations but also engaged in international cooperation with the ICRC and other organizations to promote the cause of humanitarianism, Krahenbuhl noted.

Over the years, China has carried out a series of international humanitarian rescue efforts, including assistance for quake-hit areas of Türkiye and Syria, the COVID-19 response efforts worldwide, and emergency humanitarian aid to areas that suffered from armed conflicts.

Krahenbuhl told Xinhua that the ICRC believes that human dignity must be protected in every possible way in times of conflict. This concept strongly converges with Chinese culture, which emphasizes peace and benevolence.

"The more things are complicated, the more things are tense, the greater the risks, the more there is actually a need for communication and dialogue," said Krahenbuhl.

He said that in a world filled with uncertainties and turbulence, it is high time to reaffirm the importance of respecting the Geneva Conventions.

Krahenbuhl said the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols form the core of international humanitarian law, regulating the conduct of armed conflict and seeking to limit its effects. China was one of the first signatories.

"We really look forward to the ongoing attention that China can pay to the importance of protecting international humanitarian law," said Krahenbuhl, adding that the ICRC will work with China to mobilize attention around the need to better respect the Geneva Conventions.

Echoing the Chinese leader's assertion last year that "humanitarianism is the greatest consensus that is able to unite different civilizations," Krahenbuhl found it encouraging to see China's steady advocation and support for humanitarianism on many bilateral and multilateral occasions.

"China is taking its international role very seriously," Krahenbuhl said, adding that China's voice in humanitarian affairs is very significant.

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the ICRC's regional delegation in Beijing. Krahenbuhl told Xinhua that opportunities for cooperation between the ICRC and China in the years to come are highly expected.

"We need to dive deeper and understand better," he said, adding that the ICRC looks forward to more international operational cooperation with China in financial and material support for countries affected by armed conflicts, among other joint programs. It will also work with China in areas related to international humanitarian law.

"We are very keen to see this relationship go into the next phase to build further momentum," said the Director-General. Enditem

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