Peking University recently won the 17th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot for the Asia Pacific region, the first time a Chinese mainland team has done so in the 17 years' history of the moot in Hong Kong. The University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was also among the top four finalists.

The moot was co-organized by the international Committee of the Red Cross and the Hong Kong Red Cross.

While the competition is aimed at enhancing knowledge and raising awareness of international humanitarian issues among law students, Anne Quintin, the head of the Advisory Services of the ICRC, believes it will also help bring an Asian perspective into IHL, which is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict.

"The moot court competition is one way to contribute to the creation of a conducive environment for the respect for IHL. This is the precise impact of the moot court," says Quintin.

As for Larry Maybee, the deputy head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, he says: "The objective (of the event) is to promote the study and knowledge of IHL in Asia. But specifically with a focus on students who are studying, because we want to influence the next generation of leaders to be aware of the issues and the law in this area."