BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is willing to strengthen its cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, ICRC President Peter Maurer has said.

Maurer spoke highly of the past cooperation between China and the ICRC at a press conference here Thursday .

"We already have a solid basis, which is an agreement that it's in both sides' interest to cooperate," said Maurer. "This is self-evident."

During his trip to China, Maurer met with several high-level officials, and discussed further cooperation between the two sides.

Maurer appreciated China's support for the ICRC, adding that China is increasingly integrated into the world economy, and China's investments contribute to the stabilization and positive development of other societies.

"China has a vision of contributing to the development of other countries," he said.

He noted that China has created mechanisms in support of international cooperation, including the newly established International Development Cooperation Agency.

Speaking of the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which is scheduled for June 9 to 10 in east China's Qingdao, Maurer said that the ICRC is eager to define areas of cooperation with the SCO and make its contribution to the SCO work.