During a four-day visit to China, the Russian Red Cross delegation holds working meetings with officials of the Red Cross Society of China and regional branches of Heilongjiang province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The parties agree to sign memoranda of cooperation between the border regional branches of the two organizations in summer 2025. It shall become another strategic step to implement the bilateral cooperation agreement signed by the National Societies of Russia and China in June 2024.
“The Red Cross Society of China is our strategic partner. We analyze our experience, exchange and contextualize the best practices in supporting beneficiaries. For example, over the last three years we have accumulated important expertise in humanitarian response to emergencies. And our colleagues often turn to us for this competence. Similarly, the Red Cross Society of China pays close attention to first aid skills training and cultivating the Fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement from an early age. The Red Cross Society of China is very active in using innovative methods and digital tools. This experience is extremely useful for us”, accentuated Pavel SAVCHUK, the President of the Russian Red Cross.
Representatives of the Russian delegation visited two schools in Harbin and Hohhot, which actively cooperate with the Red Cross Society of China. Schoolchildren of the first-grade study thoroughly the history and Fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The school curriculum includes in-depth training in practical first aid skills, as well as health and safety training courses. In this manner, children learn the basics of humanity to follow the mission of the Chinese Red Cross Society since a young age, when the issues of universal compassion and contribution to society are prioritized above all else. Young learners also have a thorough understanding of earthquakes, fires, and other emergencies and can provide appropriate relief measures.
Also, in Harbin (Heilongjiang province), the Russian delegation familiarized itself with Red Cross first-aid stations in various organizations, such as banking institutions or travel agencies. First-aid stations include defibrillators, tonometers, glucometers, first aid kits, wheelchairs and other necessary equipment to provide first aid until medical professionals arrive. Anyone can use the stations if needed. The Chinese Red Cross Society’s mobile app provides instructions hereof.
In the city of Hohhot (the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), representatives of the Red Cross Society of China demonstrated to Russian colleagues the principles of operation of one of the warehouses with humanitarian kits and other necessary items for emergency response and assistance to victims of emergencies. Thus, the Russian Red Cross is currently developing a similar system of warehouses for humanitarian response to emergencies in the federal districts of the country.
An important item of the agenda became a visit to the Chaoju Ophthalmology Clinic in the city of Hohhot. The medical entity under the support of the Chinese Red Cross Society provides free cataract surgeries for low-income citizens, including those living in remote areas. The clinic also provides professional training for medical professionals from the Mongolian Red Cross Society.
“Given the large territories of both Russia and China, the background is such that geographically, climatically and sometimes even mentally the border regions of the two countries are closer to each other than each one is to the capital of the country. In this connection, strengthening interaction between these areas is of great importance to us”, commented Pavel SAVCHUK.
By prior arrangement, the signing of memorandums of cooperation between the cross-border regional branches is stipulated for July 2025 at the international conference “National Red Cross Societies of Russia and China. Prospects of Humanitarian Cooperation”. The conference is to be held under the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation.
