On the 10th anniversary of a landmark bilateral envoy role, the International Committee of the Red Cross’ top representative to China has publicly praised Beijing’s growing contribution to global humanitarian efforts, highlighting its unwavering commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and diplomatic work to de-escalate global crises.
Balthasar Staehelin, who serves both as the personal envoy of the ICRC President to China and head of the ICRC East Asia Regional Delegation based in Beijing, is the third official to hold the unique envoy post. The position, created in 2016, was the first country-specific envoy role the ICRC had ever established, a designation Staehelin says carries profound symbolic weight for the organization’s relationship with China.
“The creation and continuation of this role clearly signals that the ICRC recognizes China’s rising global influence, and that we have a critical need to deepen constructive dialogue with both Chinese government bodies and civil society organizations,” Staehelin explained in his remarks, marking 10 years since the post was first created.
Over the past decade, collaboration between the ICRC and Chinese stakeholders has expanded dramatically, Staehelin noted. Amid a global surge in active armed conflicts, ICRC teams operating in conflict zones now routinely coordinate with Chinese diplomatic missions, UN peacekeeping contingents deployed by China, and Chinese firms operating abroad. The organization also partners with Chinese companies active across Africa to build capacity for corporate social responsibility and safe operations in high-risk unstable environments, spanning a far broader scope of engagement than ever before.
During his nearly three years of work based in China, Staehelin has observed a growing willingness among Chinese stakeholders to explore new avenues for contributing to international conflict resolution. He pointed to policy guidance laid out in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which outlines a clear trajectory toward expanded engagement in international humanitarian assistance. “We are already seeing increased funding allocations and grants directed to international humanitarian organizations, as well as expanded bilateral aid. There is a clear upward trend of doing more, and that is very positive,” he said.
This policy shift is backed by tangible on-the-ground action. Recent high-profile examples include emergency cash aid delivered to southern African nations hit by catastrophic flooding earlier this year, and ongoing implementation of a $100 million humanitarian aid pledge for Palestine announced by China last December.
Staehelin also drew attention to China’s increasingly active role in international conflict mediation, pointing to two landmark breakthroughs brokered by Beijing: the 2023 reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the historic Beijing Declaration signed by competing Palestinian factions. He further highlighted the launch of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization focused exclusively on resolving international disputes through mediation, which was initiated by China and is hosted in Hong Kong.
“All these developments point to a shifting landscape: China is not only becoming more active in delivering humanitarian aid, it is also emerging as a key actor that proposes tangible solutions to global conflicts,” Staehelin said.
He traced this growing engagement to deep-rooted cultural values that align closely with the ICRC’s core mission. “A strong ethos of solidarity and people-to-people connection is deeply embedded in Chinese society. The idea of shared common humanity runs through Chinese thought and tradition, and that aligns perfectly with the ICRC’s humanitarian mission,” he added.
Staehelin also noted strong alignment between the ICRC’s core ideals and China’s Global Governance Initiative. “China’s approach to global policy is fundamentally people-centered. This focus on people is where our two frameworks strongly resonate. The emphasis on delivering tangible, on-the-ground impact and upholding international humanitarian law are core elements of China’s Global Governance Initiative that the ICRC fully identifies with.”
That shared commitment was formalized in September 2024, when China joined the ICRC and five other nations to co-launch the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law. “China brought its significant political influence and global weight to launch this initiative, and that is deeply appreciated by the ICRC,” Staehelin said. “What we also see, and what we hope all nations will emulate, is that China consistently and explicitly references the importance of international humanitarian law in its global policy proposals.”
Staehelin emphasized that China’s consistent reaffirmation of respect for international humanitarian law in UN forums and conflict resolution proposals fills a critical global need. “It is essential to maintain a global consensus that international humanitarian law is absolutely vital to protect civilian lives and create the conditions for lasting stability and peace,” he said.
Drawing on three decades of experience in international humanitarian work, Staehelin also offered a stark assessment of the current global context. “We have seen the number of active armed conflicts double over the past 15 years. At the same time, many countries are increasing defense spending while cutting overseas development assistance budgets. That means needs are growing faster than ever, but available funding is shrinking,” he noted.