The Chinese Foreign Ministry has held a charity sale in Beijing, raising funds to help village teachers in southwestern Yunnan province. Its aim is to improve their living and work conditions.

Wang Yi and Qian Wei also made their contributions to "Love Knows No Borders" charity bazaar

Initiated by Madam Qian Wei, wife of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, this year's charity sale aims to sponsor village teachers in elementary and middle schools in Yunnan.

"The fund raised at this sale will go to Jinping and Malipo in Yunnan province, listed by the central government as the most impoverished counties in China,” Qian said.

“The fund will be used to provide financial support to primary and secondary school teachers working in remote and mountainous areas, so as to encourage them to make bigger contribution to local education."

Foreign embassies and international organizations also participated in the sale. They brought along traditional and special local products from their respective countries, turning the bazaar into a cultural exchange gala.

"This year we have expanded, so we have four stalls here. Three stalls have Pakistani handicraft, carpets and clothing, textiles and leather products. And one stall is serving Pakistani food. The (left-most) one is doing Pakistani Henna, which is tattoo. So I think that is very popular with the ladies. But I want to compliment the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Beijing Municipal Government for making very good arrangements here," said Masood Khalid, Pakistani Ambassador to China.

"The Russian Embassy in China has participated in all the seven charity sales, since 2009. And we have expanded our sales. We raised US$8,000 last year and we hope to raise more this time," said Evgeny Tomikhin, Minister-Counselor, Russian Embassy in China.

"Russia and China are both facing poverty problems currently. So I think the charity sale is pretty necessary. Love knows no borders. Mr. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Madame Qian Wei have set an great example for all the diplomats in China."

In China, 3.3 million village teachers shoulder the responsibility of educating more than 40 million children in rural areas. Many of these teachers work and live in incredibly conditions.

The money raised at the charity sale may be just a drop in the bucket of what is needed. But it is hoped the event will raise public consciousness, at home and abroad, to do more for the cause of education.

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