Volunteers receive rigorous training for CIFIT in Xiamen

More than 1,000 volunteers are providing professional services for participants at the ongoing China International Fair for Investment and Trade, and are receiving top-level training to ensure the smooth running of the high-profile event.

CIFIT is being held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from Sept 18 to 21. Official statistics from the city authorities show that 95 percent of the volunteers are from local universities and colleges.

Wu Huiduan, an official at the Xiamen convention and exhibition affairs bureau in charge of the volunteer sector, said that her team has been conducting interviews to select suitable candidates since May.

To make sure the volunteers were up to scratch, the bureau offered professional leadership training and English language classes for translators during the summer holiday, when students are most available, Wu said.

Many positions were created to ensure the success of the fair. Some of the volunteers have worked in their positions since July, helping in the preparation efforts, Wu said.

To encourage volunteers to plunge into their work, the organizers held a mobilization and training meeting on Sept 11.

Zhao Ping, an official of the Ministry of Commerce in Fuzhou, capital of the province, attended the meeting and encouraged the volunteers to provide excellent services during the fair.  

Wang Qiongwen, director of the Xiamen convention and exhibition affairs bureau, briefed the meeting on the highlights of this year's CIFIT.

The 2017 CIFIT event facilitates cooperation among the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - commonly known as BRICS, integrates with the Belt and Road Initiative and showcases progress in cross-Straits relations, Wang said.

"As such, the volunteers are trusted with a significant task: the event's smooth operation," he said.

Ye Yin, an etiquette teacher from Xiamen Airlines, trained the volunteers in grooming standards and hospitality services along with another 12 crew members. She was one of the top 10 volunteer-training teachers during the BRICS Summit held in Xiamen earlier this month.

Teachers from Xiamen New Oriental School, a private education provider, offered English speaking lessons, while representatives from Xiamen Bossway Management Consulting lead team-work related training.

Ding Dawei, a volunteer from Xiamen University, said: "We will continue to volunteer and to maintain the service spirit of the BRICS Summit, providing high-quality, efficient, enthusiastic and sincere services at CIFIT."

Another volunteer said that with the help of the training meeting, the team has gained extensive knowledge of CIFIT, boosting their confidence in dealing with the challenges ahead.