Jet Li visits the Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva to promote his foundation's global focus.
Jet Li, an international actor who has appeared in 39 films to date, is a rare breed of superstar. In an age of media attention and global box office, Mr Li is more concerned with helping humanity than touting his successes.
"I began doing charitable work in 2000 but it was really the 2004 tsunami that inspired my commitment to providing international assistance," he says.
Fight to save his daughter's life
When the tsunami struck, Mr Li was vacationing with his family in the Maldives. It was then that he became a real life action hero, injuring his foot while saving his daughter's life. The water was rising, the current was strong, "the water nearly took my youngest daughter, I had to hold onto her, raising her above my head to keep her from drowning or being taken by the currents."
In the face of such a great challenge, Mr Li became inspired to help vulnerable people all over the world.
"It was then that I realized I needed to become more involved. During a disaster, assistance is critical in the first 24 hours; I needed to use my status to help find the resources to support people most in need of immediate assistance."
Ambassador for the Red Cross
To answer that challenge Mr Li began working with the Red Cross Society of China as an ambassador and, in 2007, that work evolved into the Red Cross Society of China Jet Li One Foundation Project (One Foundation).
From the beginning, Mr Li has had global plans for his foundation. "Today we are part of a global family, crossing borders and languages, it is important to always think globally," he asserts.
"Working within this global family is important, I am from China, but I don't want to just help the Chinese, I also want to help the children of Africa and the people of the world."
To achieve these goals, the One Foundation is working to establish a partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
"The Red Cross Red Crescent shares the same beliefs as I do and I am excited by the possibility of working together," he says.
Shared commitment to serve humanity
When discussing the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Mr Li points out that impartiality, neutrality and humanity are those that resonate most with him, "these are the principles I live my life by."
That shared commitment to serving humanity is what drives Mr Li to work with the Red Cross Red Crescent. "I want to work with the world's most global organization. The Red Cross Red Crescent is trusted all over - a transparent and reliable global partner."
As Mr Li shakes hands with many of the onlookers, posing for photographs and putting a Red Cross pin on his young daughter's shirt, he takes time to conclude, "together we can make a difference, we can make this world a better place."
A hero in action indeed.
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"I began doing charitable work in 2000 but it was really the 2004 tsunami that inspired my commitment to providing international assistance", says Jet Li. (p17931)
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Jet Li briefly explains the history of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to his daughter. (p17932)
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Jet Li takes a moment to autograph an IFRC t-shirt. (p17930)
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