The China Red Cross Society (CRCS) is playing an increasingly important role in the world due to its gradually improved international status, according to participants attending its ongoing council meeting in Changsha Wednesday.
Statistics showed the CRCS has 4,600 full-time staffers, 66,100grass-root organizations, 17.5 million membership and more than 310,000 volunteers.
"As a member of the Steering Committee of the International Red Cross Association, the CRCS fulfills its responsibilities and participates in important decision-making," said Wang Lizhong, executive deputy president of the CRCS.
The CRCS attends international and regional meetings and engages in international exchange and cooperation, maintaining good relationships with Red Cross Societies in other countries.
The CRCS received 59 delegations from the International Red Cross Society and other countries last year, said Wang.
During the same period, the CRCS visited the United States, Norway, Hungary and Japan, sending donations and relief goods valued at 3.9 million yuan (about US$470,000) to 18 countries hit by natural calamities, diseases and disasters.
The Chinese government has always attached great importance to humanism and peace, according to Wang. The government's recognition and support facilitates the CRCS's development and helps it to play a more important role in the world, he added.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2003)
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