Following the second round of consultations in March 2004, and upon the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, an International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)delegation paid a visit to Beijing and held the third round of consultations with the Chinese side from October 27 to 28, 2004 on the future establishment of an ICRC regional delegation for East Asia in Beijing.

Mr. Li Baodong, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry, earlier met with the ICRC delegation.

Constructive talks have been held between delegation from China headed by Mr. Chen Weixiong, Senior Counselor of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry, and that of the ICRC, headed by Mr. Reto Meister, Delegate General for Asia and the Pacific. The two sides exchanged views on the substantive issues regarding the establishment the ICRC regional delegation in a friendly and business-like manner and reached an agreement on the functions and the main responsibilities of ICRC in China.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the concrete progress made at this round of consultations and have agreed to continue negotiations aimed at reaching the final agreement at an early date.