China vows aid to resolve refugee crises

Premier Li says $100 million to be provided to countries and international groups

China pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid on Monday to help countries and international organizations resolve refugee and migrant crises and will consider additional support measures.

The vow was made by Premier Li Keqiang when he addressed a meeting at the United Nations on refugees and migrants.

Li said China would also consider using part of the China-UN peace and development fund to support refugee and migrant work in developing countries, and to explore ways to enhance cooperation involving third parties, and with international agencies.

Last year, at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, President Xi Jinping announced China’s decision to establish a 10-year, $1 billion China-UN peace and development fund.

Li said the resolution of the refugee and migrant issue calls for ramped-up international cooperation and efforts by native countries of refugees and migrants. He said China has attached importance to, and has actively joined, efforts to resolve refugee and migrant issues.

The number of displaced people reached a record 65.3 million at the end of last year, an increase of more than 5 million from 2014, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. They include 21.3 million refugees, 3.2 million asylum seekers and 40.8 million migrants.

Opening the daylong session, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged world leaders to commit to "upholding the rights and dignity of everyone forced by circumstance to flee their homes in search of a better life".