Izzidhine Affizou and his family. [Photo/WeChat account: yiwuwaishi]

Izzidhine Affizou, a Nigerien who has been doing business in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang province, for 11 years, said that although Yiwu was not his first stop in China, he decided to live there long term after his first visit.

"I have many friends who do business in Yiwu. We can take care of each other," Affizou said.

Though the city faced a sudden outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 and had its International Trade Market temporarily locked down, Affizou chose to stay put and has been actively sharing the latest epidemic prevention and control information with foreigners and preparing to resume operations.

He is also the director of the African community in Yiwu and often organizes public welfare work, including volunteer blood donations, free interpretations for community workers, visiting epidemic prevention staff, and participating in grassroots epidemic prevention work.

"Yiwu has offered me a good business environment and a safe and convenient life. As a new Yiwu resident, it is my duty to contribute to the city," Affizon said.