This year's Volunteer for West China project has been launched in Beijing. College students around the country are encouraged to go to the vast west region and help local people in fields of education, agriculture and medical treatment.

Since 2003, the project has attracted more than 30, 000 college graduates to voluntarily work in the west region for one to two years.

One of the organizers, Wang Xuefeng from the Youth League of China, says the project has promoted the local economy and social development.

"Those college volunteers have brought real benefits for local people. Some of them go to the most poverty-stricken areas to teach local children, some help farmers with advanced agricultural technology and some set up medical teams to treat poor patients."

He says at the same time by working at the grass-roots, the students can enrich their life experiences, improve personal capability and have a better understanding about China's national condition.

Twenty-four-year-old Liu Yong became a volunteer after graduating from university in central China's Hubei Province two years ago.

He went to a rural county in Chongqing Municipality in southwest China.

Working with other volunteers for one year, Liu Yong helped local farmers build a 600-hectare experimental base for cultivating new rapeseed.

Liu Yong says he gained a lot in his time as a volunteer in the western region.

"During the past year, I have used the knowledge I learned at school into practice and contributed to the west development. I'm so happy to see that my efforts have brought benefits for local people."

The west volunteer project also serves as a good solution for college graduate employment.

One third of the volunteers decided to continue to work in the west region after the two year service period.

The project plans to attract 8,000 college students nationwide this year.

(CRI April 20, 2005)