Madam Chair,

On behalf of the Chinese government delegation, I would like to extend my congratulations on your election as Chair of the International Conference. China will actively support you and other officers of the Conference in your work and will work with all governments and Red Cross Societies delegations to ensure a successful conference.

This conference is particularly significant as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Conventions are dedicated to safeguarding human life and dignity, promoting and fostering humanitarianism as a universal global consensus. They represent the core of international humanitarian law and the embodiment of the humanitarian spirit. Yet, we must acknowledge that today’s world remains far from peaceful, and the current global humanitarian situation is unprecedentedly dire. Regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia are plagued by instability. The impacts of climate change and natural disasters further exacerbate the challenges faced by developing countries. Regrettably, certain countries have politicized and instrumentalized humanitarian issues, applying international humanitarian law selectively or with double standards. This has continued to obstruct humanitarian organizations from operating effectively in conflict zones. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has reached unprecedented levels, is particularly heartbreaking. In response, China proposes the following :

First, we must promote the spirit of humanitarianism and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Whether in war relief or disaster assistance, and whether addressing disease outbreaks or crises arising from climate change, the spirit of the Red Cross continues to inspire humanitarian workers around the world to protect lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold human dignity. President Xi Jinping's proposals for building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, are highly aligned with the spirit of Humanity, Fraternity and Dedication promoted by international humanitarianism. These proposals offer a Chinese solution for the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation while advancing humanitarian efforts, providing clear direction for our progress. We should foster a sense of shared destiny, adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, enhancing humanitarian cooperation and promoting peace and progress for humanity.

Second, we must uphold multilateralism and safeguard fairness and justice.  Since the last International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the world has encountered unprecedented challenges, including pandemics, natural disasters, conflicts, and poverty, all of which continually threaten the well-being of people around the globe. The international community has come to a deeper understanding that, in the face of new situations and challenges, no country can remain unaffected. All parties should join hands to practice the genuine multilateralism, uphold the principles of the UN Charter, maintain international law and the basic norms of international relations, and adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Together, we should explore solutions to global issues, including humanitarian challenges. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the immediate priority is to fully implement relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council, achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, and effectively alleviate the humanitarian disaster there. Major powers with significant influence over the parties involved should play a constructive role. All parties should increase their support and investment in international humanitarian organizations such as ICRC and IFRC, strengthening the capacity of Red Cross organizations in conflict-affected areas to better address humanitarian crises.

Third, we must uphold the rule of international law and protect the authority of international humanitarian law (IHL). IHL establishes essential standards that must be universally upheld: civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted during military operations, and safe, unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, along with protection for humanitarian organizations and their personnel, must be ensured in conflict situations. However, these recognized humanitarian principles are increasingly being breached, which requires our vigilance. Countries should respect and earnestly fulfill their obligations under IHL, prioritizing the implementation of the Geneva Conventions as a political commitment. We must promote the dissemination and implementation of IHL, translating political commitments into concrete actions, firmly rejecting double standards and selective application, and ensuring the universal application of IHL. Humanitarian actions should not be politicized or used as a pretext for interference. Humanitarian organizations should help relevant parties enhance their compliance capacity through various means while respecting the sovereignty of the states involved. This conference will also review five draft resolutions in areas such as IHL culture and disaster risk governance, which represent significant new contributions to the ongoing discourse on IHL in the current context.

Fourth, we must address both the symptoms and root causes of humanitarian crises. Many humanitarian crises resulting from conflicts are rooted in the long-standing poverty and underdevelopment of developing countries, leading to acute socio-economic contradictions that can only be fundamentally resolved through development. Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a "patent" of a few nations. The international community should promote inclusive and coordinated global development, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and effectively assist developing countries in narrowing the development gap. We must enhance their resilience in the face of challenges such as climate change and natural disasters, and avoid both traditional and non-traditional humanitarian crises. Developed countries should promptly fulfill their commitments and take on greater responsibilities in providing support and assistance to developing countries.

Madam Chair,

China has always placed great importance on promoting compliance with and the implementation of IHL, consistently serving as a proactive supporter, participant, and contributor to the international humanitarian cause. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that humanitarianism represents the greatest consensus that can unite different civilizations. Last month, China, in collaboration with relevant countries, launched the IHL initiative proposed by the President of ICRC, and we welcome active participation from all parties. Upholding the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China actively engages in humanitarian aid and global emergency response. In May of this year, at the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, President Xi announced that China would provide an additional 500 million RMB in humanitarian assistance to support the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and post-conflict reconstruction, building upon the earlier emergency assistance of 100 million RMB. Furthermore, we will donate 3 million USD to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to support its emergency humanitarian assistance efforts in Gaza. In the face of such severe circumstances, we must remain confident and navigate uncertainty through unity and cooperation, embodying the spirit of international humanitarianism to inject more positive energy into our complex world.

Earlier this month, China celebrated its 75th anniversary. Today, China is advancing along the path outlined by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, further deepening reforms, expanding high-level opening-up, and steadfastly promoting the construction of a strong country and the rejuvenation of our nation through Chinese modernization. This reflects the continuity, stability, and innovation of the governing philosophy of the Communist Party of China, and it will bring more stability and certainty to world peace and development while making new and greater contributions to the international humanitarian cause. We stand ready to work with the international community to firmly support the development of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, tackle global humanitarian challenges, and help build a better world.

Thank you, Madam Chair!