China pledges more humanitarian efforts, says Xi

BEIJING - China has promised to make further contributions to international humanitarian efforts, President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

The commitment was made by Xi when he met with the visiting president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer.

Xi said that China attaches great importance to work done by the ICRC and is willing to work closer with the organization to offer more help to people who are in need and will take international responsibility and duty within its capacity.

Speaking highly of actions taken by the ICRC in the past 150 years since its establishment, Xi expressed his appreciation to the committee's active participation in Chinese humanitarian and rescue missions.

"The red cross represents not only a spirit, but also a banner under which humanitarian activities across different borders, races and beliefs are carried out," Xi said, expressing his belief that the spirit of the red cross will further thrive in future.

Maurer thanked China for supporting the ICRC, noting that the country, a nation with significant international influence, has made important contributions to the committee's global efforts.

The ICRC looks to expand its cooperation with China in an aim to provide a better service in global humanitarian and rescue missions, Maurer said.