ICRC in China - an overview
The ICRC in China leaflet provides an overview of the key activities undertaken by the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia based in Beijing since 2005, including humanitarian dialogue, the promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL), engagement with military and police forces, global public health efforts, collaboration with the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), awareness-raising, humanitarian forensics, procurement of relief supplies for global operations, and fundraising.
From the Personal Envoy of the ICRC President for China
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) established its East Asia office in Beijing in 2005 to foster and sustain strategic dialogue with the People’s Republic of China. One senior ICRC official stated at the time, “China is in the process of looking outwards to assume a greater role and more responsibility both at the regional and global level.” Indeed, over the last two decades China has steadily taken on a prominent role in international relations.
Today the world has become more polarized and volatile, and challenges abound.
Having worked in conflict-affected regions across the world over its 161 years of history, the ICRC knows well the profound human and material cost of war.
In China, in the 1930s, our delegates witnessed the heavy toll of war on prisoners and civilians. But they also observed glimpses of hope raised by the resilient humanitarian efforts amid the violence.
Twenty years on, the ICRC’s dialogue on global humanitarian affairs and international humanitarian law (IHL) with the Chinese government, the People’s Liberation Army, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) and many other influential people in Chinese academia, think tanks, media and corporate sector has reached a high level of understanding, acceptance and cooperation.
The rich dialogue within China is complemented internationally with regular discussions in global diplomatic hubs such as New York and Geneva, and in many capitals in the regions where the ICRC has operations or engages in humanitarian diplomacy.
During her first visit to China in September 2023, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said, “The ICRC needs more support from China in advancing the international humanitarian cause,” adding that it is hoped the two sides can make joint contributions to promoting world peace and development.
As the personal envoy of the ICRC President for China, I am heartened to note that in September 2024, China, along with five other states, joined the ICRC in a high-level political initiative on international humanitarian law. This joint effort to strengthen IHL complements a renewed global focus on advancing peace, reinforcing civilian protection and strengthening global governance systems, which in turn ensures more effective international cooperation and protection for those affected by armed conflict.
Guided by a common sense of humanity and responsibility to act, the ICRC and China will continue to actively work together, focusing on effective responses to the needs of people affected by conflict and facilitating their path to peace, stability and development. Thus, the following pages not only outline the ICRC’s work in China, but also serve as an invitation for new and deeper interactions and partnership between China and the ICRC.
Balthasar Staehelin
Personal Envoy of the President
Head of Regional Delegation for East Asia
