"Today, the world is facing many challenges, and global humanitarian needs are soaring. We look forward to more cooperation with China and other countries." Recently, Jacques Pele, the Special Envoy of the Chairman of the International Committee of the Red Cross for China and Director of the ICRC's East Asia Regional Office (Bai Liang in Chinese) said in an interview with our reporter that China has always provided important support to international humanitarian activities and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China and jointly making positive contributions to improving the well-being of the people of the world.
Bai Liang introduced that the current global armed conflicts are becoming increasingly protracted, new armed violence is still emerging, and the new corona pneumonia epidemic has further worsened the humanitarian crisis. In 2021, there will be a record 235 million people worldwide in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
“In the face of a global crisis, all countries need to work together to take internationally coordinated actions.” Bai Liang believes that China’s voice and actions are vital to global humanitarian affairs, especially in countries and regions along the “Belt and Road”. Strengthening cooperation between the International Committee and China will help respond to the needs of all parties in a fragile situation. China's increased participation also shows that its role in global governance has become increasingly prominent.
Faced with the impact of the epidemic, China launched the largest global humanitarian operation since the founding of New China, providing anti-epidemic assistance to more than 150 countries and 13 international organizations; sending 36 medical expert teams to 34 countries to join the "new corona pneumonia" Vaccine Implementation Plan", providing vaccine assistance to 80 countries and 3 international organizations...
"China has played an important role in jointly fighting the epidemic and responding to global challenges." Bai Liang said that many areas that receive China's anti-epidemic assistance are also places where the ICRC conducts humanitarian operations. At the beginning of this year, China released the white paper "China's International Development Cooperation in the New Era", hoping to open a window of opportunity for further cooperation between the two sides. In his view, China proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind precisely because China hopes to enhance the well-being of the people of the world through cooperation.
Bai Liang said that the nature of today's humanitarian crises is becoming increasingly complex, and humanitarian operations include humanitarian relief, development projects, and peace building. The ICRC's projects in Syria and Nigeria are funded by China. These projects help improve the livelihoods of people affected by the war, stabilize the local situation and restore economic development.
The ICRC has also established cooperative relations with overseas Chinese companies. In 2019, commissioned by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Ministry of Water Resources of the Borno State of Nigeria, a Chinese company built a facility with a daily water supply of 9 million liters for Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and improved water consumption for 150,000 people in the region. .
"We have witnessed how China has successfully controlled the epidemic and eliminated extreme poverty. China's experience has helped the development of global humanitarian causes." Bai Liang told reporters that conflict and violence are still one of the main causes of poverty worldwide, and poverty has increased further. Encouraging violence and conflicts, "we need China's support more than ever before.
He also introduced that the ICRC actively participates in China's poverty reduction work. Since 2014, the ICRC has cooperated with the Red Cross Society of China to provide small aid funds to poor families in Yunnan, Hubei and other places, encourage poor families to develop livelihoods and increase income, and share with Chinese partners and related institutions Professional knowledge, tools and methods to help improve people’s livelihood.
Bai Liang said that the ICRC has always maintained good communication with the Chinese government and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in all areas of the “Belt and Road” initiative, and carry out more cooperation with China through platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
