The China Red Cross Society (CRCS) and the Ministry of Justice of China jointly hosted a video-phone conference Wednesday to mark two anniversaries related to the nation's association with the global charity.
Peng Peiyun, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and also president of the CRCS, took part in the conference.
Peng said that the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Red Cross Society, issued on October 31, 1993, legally launched the relationship between the Red Cross and China, an achievement which is considered to be of great significance to the Red Cross campaign worldwide.
Peng advocated that Red Cross societies at all levels should carry out their duties in line with the law, and the local governments should support and supervise the Red Cross' operation.
She said she hoped People's Congresses at different levels would make sure there were no deviations from the rules.
Wang Lizhong, CRCS vice president, said that the law shows the world that China is a nation upholding human dignity and cherishing peace, offers legal foundation for Red Cross
organizations to become more involved worldwide, and fully demonstrates the development of social welfare and civilization in China.
According to the CRCS, more than 50 countries in the world had issued Red Cross Society laws by the end of 2000.
(People's Daily November 01,2001)
