Red Cross envoy applauds Beijing's humanitarian action

Balthasar Staehelin, personal envoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross president to China, has lauded China's increasing engagement in international humanitarian action, praising the country's consistent support for respect for international humanitarian law and its diplomatic efforts to promote the peaceful resolution of crises.

Staehelin's role, established in 2016, marks the first time the ICRC created such a country-specific position. Appointed in 2023 as the third holder of this unique post, he underscored the symbolic importance of the role on its 10th anniversary.

"The creation and continuation of this envoy role illustrate ICRC's recognition of China's growing global importance and the need to deepen dialogue with the Chinese government and social entities," he said.

Staehelin noted that over the past decade, cooperation between the ICRC and China has deepened significantly. "With intensifying conflicts across the world, our delegations and teams in war zones now regularly interact with Chinese embassies, peacekeepers, and companies," he explained. "We also work with Chinese companies in Africa on social responsibility and how to operate in unsafe environments. So it's quite a large width of contact."

Having served nearly three years in China, also as head of the ICRC's Regional Delegation for East Asia in Beijing, Staehelin noted a growing willingness and interest within China to explore ways to contribute to resolving international conflicts.

He pointed to policy directions such as those outlined in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which suggest a trend toward greater involvement in international aid. "We see a number of financial decisions and grants being given to humanitarian organizations and for bilateral aid. There is clearly a trajectory toward doing more, which is positive," Staehelin said.

This trajectory is supported by concrete action. Recent examples include emergency cash assistance to southern African nations affected by severe floods earlier this year and the ongoing efforts to deliver $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestine, pledged in December last year.

Staehelin also emphasized China's increasingly active role in international mediation, citing the Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation and the signing of the Beijing Declaration by Palestinian factions as prime examples.

He further highlighted the emergence of organizations like the International Organization for Mediation, or IOMed, in Hong Kong, which is the world's first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, initiated and hosted by China. "All these points suggest a landscape where China may not only become more active in terms of humanitarian aid but may also emerge as a force that proposes solutions."

Staehelin attributed part of this drive to a "feeling of solidarity and a people-to-people spirit that is quite present in China". "This notion of having a shared humanity is what we are hearing a lot in Chinese thinking and Chinese tradition, which aligns closely with the humanitarian spirit of the ICRC," he added.

He also pointed to the similarities between the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China and the ICRC's own ideals. "China's policy is very much people-centered. This accent on people is where the ICRC's and Chinese thinking strongly resonate. The focus on tangible impact and commitment to upholding international law are also key elements of the Global Governance Initiative which the ICRC can relate to."

This commitment was notably demonstrated in September 2024, he said, when China jointly launched, with five other nations and the ICRC, the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law.

"China has not only lent its political importance and weight to launch this initiative, which is highly appreciated," said Staehelin. "What we also see, and hope that all countries around the world will do likewise, is that in China's policy proposals, it systematically and explicitly refers to the importance of international humanitarian law."

Highlighting China's consistent emphasis on respecting international humanitarian law in its statements at the UN and in its proposals for resolving conflicts, Staehelin said, "It's very important to have a continued consensus that international law is absolutely vital to protect people and to create conditions for stability and peace again."

Drawing on his three decades of experience in international humanitarian work, Staehelin presented a concerning picture.

"What we have seen is a doubling of situations of armed conflict compared to 15 years ago. Many countries invest in defense and decrease their overseas development budgets. So there is less money available and the needs are growing."