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Yiwu's foreign volunteers just like locals

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated :2023-12-29

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Foreigners volunteer at the Yiwu International Expo Center. [Photo/ywcity.cn]

Amidst Yiwu's trade fairs, the Yiwu International Trade Market Volunteer Alliance stands out. Diverse in skin tones and languages, volunteers from the alliance offer guidance and translation services, and engage in cultural exchanges, and more in Yiwu.

The volunteer alliance was established in 2016 by the School of International Education of Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College (YWICC). Since then, more than 300 international youths from over 60 countries have joined the alliance, becoming foreign volunteers in Yiwu.

Da Shan, from Iran, is a graduate of the YWICC and a member of the volunteer alliance. In 2019, he set up a livestream team mainly composed of foreigners to promote rural goods through livestream e-commerce. 

"The Yiwu market is very attractive. For example, whatever product my customer needs, I can quickly find it here," said Da Shan. He hopes that through the videos he shares online, Yiwu can become more well-known abroad so that more foreigners will go there to start businesses and experience the culture.

Mika, from Kyrgyzstan, has been serving as captain of the legal volunteer service team of the Yiwu International Trade Market Volunteer Alliance. Mika found that in China, conflicts do not necessarily have to go to court, but can instead be resolved through mediation.

The person in charge of student work at the School of International Education of YWICC said that volunteering is an effective way to improve students' abilities, including their teamwork, innovation, and dedication. The school encourages young people everywhere to volunteer.