A team of 34 student volunteers from Beijing International Studies University (BISU) provided multilingual services at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which was held in Beijing from Sep 4 to 6.  

Stationed at key positions including the media reception center and the volunteer home, the volunteers offered comprehensive services to Chinese and foreign journalists and provided support to fellow volunteers.   

A temporary Party branch was also established at BISU for the 2024 FOCAC Summit. The branch organized training sessions, mobilization meetings, mentorship programs, and a departure ceremony to prepare the student volunteers for their roles.

The students attend training for the 2024 FOCAC Summit volunteer services.  

The volunteer work started on Aug 31 when the media reception center started its trial operation. On Sept 2, the volunteer home began to operate and the team provided essential support to ensure the smooth operation of the summit's volunteer services.

The students working at the volunteer home pose for a group photo.

A BISU volunteer (L) translates for a foreign reporter.

"I translated for journalists from Malawi and helped them with transportation issues. They treated me like a friend, which deeply moved me and strengthened my resolve to use my language skills to serve the world,” Ma Wenbo, a postgraduate student studying French at the School of European Studies, mentioned in an interview with China Daily.

Speaking about his interaction with delegates from Guinea, Liu Xuanchen, another student volunteer, said, "The Guinea delegates talked about the close exchanges between students from China and Guinea and China's rapid development. As a student from BISU and a Chinese, I felt very proud!"

With extensive volunteer experience and professional language skills, the students provided high-quality services to international guests and media, earning appreciation from foreign friends and commendation from the organizing committee.

As cultural ambassadors, the volunteers will continue to contribute to the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future and the long-term development of China-Africa cooperation.  

The theme of the 2024 FOCAC Summit was "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future". This event was a significant diplomatic event for China.