The Russian Red Cross (RRC) and the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in Beijing. As part of an official visit of the RRC to the RCSC, this document has been signed by Pavel Savchuk, President of the RRC, and Wang Ke, Executive Vice President of the RCSC. The Memorandum is for five years; it has become the first global cooperation agreement between the two organizations.
The Memorandum is aimed at strengthening and developing cooperation between the two organizations. The main areas of cooperation enshrined in the document are humanitarian assistance and support for vulnerable populations, development of joint educational and training programs, support and development of youth divisions of the two National Societies, and joint efforts in response to crises.
“As members of the largest humanitarian movement in the world, we are responsible for the development of our National Societies. Strengthening and improving cooperation in humanitarian activities is in our hands. We consider the Red Cross Society of China as our strategic partner and believe that this Memorandum will be an important step in strengthening cooperation between our National Societies. We are happy to continue our joint efforts to support people in difficult life situations and solve the global challenges facing us in the modern world,” emphasized Pavel Savchuk, the RRCPresident.
Also, as part of the RRC delegation’s visit to China, the RRC President had a meeting with Chen Zhu, President of the RCSC, who congratulated the delegation on signing the Memorandum of Cooperation and noted that “humanism is the only thing that unites all civilizations.”
Wang Ke, Executive Vice President of the RCSC, undelinedthat in the modern crises-ridden world and with increasing challenges for humanitarian work, reliable partners become especially valuable. The RRC, he said, was always a good friend of the RCSC, and he hoped to strengthen and develop cooperation. Areas of interaction would include emergency situations, training, fundraising programs, volunteering and youth work. Wang Ke also emphasized that there had been along-term cooperation between the two National Societies during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he hoped would be restored after the suspension.
An important part of the discussions concerned the areas of cooperation between regional branches of the Red Cross Societies in China and Russia. Already at the beginning of April, the first online meeting and acquaintance of the parties took place between the Amur Regional Branch of the RRC andthe Heihei and Heilongjiang branches of the RCSC. The RRC President made a point that “this was the first experience in the Russian Far Eastern Federal District and was noted as an important step towards strengthening interaction between the organizations.”
“The signing of the Memorandum will help make cooperation between the branches of our National Societies more extensive and contribute to solving humanitarian challenges and supporting the population,” said Pavel Savchuk.
During his working trip to China, the RRC President also visited the Friendship Hospital in Beijing and the Chinese Red Cross Foundation. Besides, a visit to the Tianjin Branch of the RCSCis planned, where details of current humanitarian programs will be discussed.
