76 years ago today, on August 12th, 1949 (July 18th, 1949 in the lunar calendar), the Geneva Convention on the Protection of War Victims was signed. On August 12, 1949, 63 countries signed four conventions in Geneva: the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in the Armed Forces in the Field, the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked in the Armed Forces at Sea, the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, collectively referred to as the Geneva Conventions of 1949 relative to the Protection of Victims of War. Entered into force on October 21, 1950. The Convention stipulates the minimum principles to be observed by all parties to the conflict. On July 13, 1952, Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai issued a statement recognizing the Geneva Conventions. On December 28, 1956, I deposited my instrument of ratification, but made reservations about some of its provisions.