The Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Finance (XMBF) recently sent letters of appreciation to XMU and CFLC, as well as honorary certificates to CFLC students who had volunteered for the 2019 ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting. XMBF expressed its appreciation to CFLC students for overcoming difficulties and delivering quality voluntary services for the meeting.

The ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting took place on December 12 and 13, 2019. It was another high-level international conference in Xiamen following the 2017 BRICS Summit. Prior to the meeting, XMBF publicized its needs for voluntary services, but its schedule conflicted with CFLC students’ class schedule. CFLC Party Secretary Chen Zhiwei coordinated with the organizers and made appropriate arrangements. Eventually, 20-strong CFLC undergraduate and graduate students signed up to provide voluntary services for the meeting.

Two weeks before the meeting, XMBF and Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office sent staff members to CFLC, where they conducted training classes for CFLC volunteers. The training classes familiarized the CFLC volunteers with the meeting’s proceedings and basic diplomatic protocols and etiquettes. The student volunteers also gained an understanding of the importance of the meeting. After being assigned specific tasks, the volunteers immediately started intense preparations.

In the lead-up to the meeting, every morning at 7 a.m., the CFLC volunteers travelled from the university to the meeting venue for their daily preparation tasks. They printed and bound documents, arranged tables and seats, and set up national flags.

During the meeting, the CFLC volunteers provided the participants with information and translation services. After the meeting, they accompanied the participants on tours of major tourist attractions in Xiamen, including Gulangyu Islet. The East-meet-West architecture and enchanting scenery on Gulangyu, an UNESCO World Heritage site, fascinated the visitors. The enthusiasm and English proficiency of the CFLC students greatly impressed the organizers and the participants from 13 countries.

The CFLC students’ voluntary services demonstrated their commitment to serving the community by taking advantage of their language skills.