UPDATE - Chinese president meets Red Cross chief, appreciates aid group's commitment to world peace

ADDS SPOLIJARIC'S TWEET ON THE MEETING

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger in Beijing, Chinese state media reported.

Xi spoke highly of the ICRC's work in international humanitarian affairs, and appreciated its contribution to world peace and progress.

The president said China won the battle against poverty, and talked about the country's efforts against COVID-19, arguing that it not only protected the lives and health of its own people, but also launched a global humanitarian assistance operation.

Xi said China is an active supporter, participant and contributor to international humanitarian causes, ready to work closely with the Red Cross for human peace and progress.

Spoljaric, who arrived in Beijing on Monday for her first official visit to China, tweeted that she discussed with Xi "the importance of international humanitarian law and the unique work of the ICRC as a neutral and impartial organisation."

The ICRC in an earlier statement said during the four-day visit she will have a series of high-level meetings and engagement with government departments, senior leadership of the Red Cross Society of China, academics, and think tanks.

She will also attend the 49th Florence Nightingale Award Ceremony in Beijing to pay tribute to seven Chinese nurses for their “exemplary contributions to healthcare and humanitarian services.”

To mark the 160th founding anniversary of the ICRC and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Spoljaric will inaugurate a photo exhibition, 160 Years on the Side of Humanity, at the Capital Library in Beijing.

"I highly value the strategic and multidimensional nature of the ICRC's relationship with China," Spoljaric said ahead of the visit. "During my visit, I look forward to discussing ways and means to enhance the global respect and compliance for international humanitarian law and to increase the collaboration between the ICRC and China to bring humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected communities."

The ICRC describes itself as “an impartial, neutral, and independent organization” whose mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.