City officials volunteer to clean up litter in Qinhuangdao

On the morning of Aug. 4, a total of 2,600 CPC members in Qinhuangdao volunteered in a campaign to clean up litter on the city's beaches and roads, despite the intense summer heat.

2,600 CPC members in Qinhuangdao volunteer in a campaign to clean up litter on the city's beaches and roads on Aug. 4, 2018. [Photo/qhdnews.com]

Participants came from various Party and government organs, enterprises, and institutions, and included city leaders Meng Xiangwei, Zhang Ruishu, Tian Jinchang and Liu Chenyan.

The campaign took place as Qinhuangdao enters its peak tourist season, and the city is welcoming an increasing number of beach goers. Party Secretary Meng Xiangwei said the beaches are the "lobby to the city" and a "beautiful postcard" with which visitors would remember the city, so they must be kept clean and tidy.

Meng praised Pingshuiqiao, one of the city's popular public beaches, for its caretakers' efforts in curbing litter as well as the good behaviors of its visitors. He said the beach could next begin providing visitors with additional services tailored to their needs and help to prolong their stay.

Wang Jianbin, a publicity official from the Municipal Party Committee, said, "It is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment." He noted that an earlier campaign to rid Qinhuangdao of cigarette butts has been effective, and the city also began to see an increasing number of volunteers.

The city set up volunteer booths at scenic spots, railway stations, bus stops, and along the streets, with volunteers handing out pamphlets and free drinking water. Tourists could also get directions and information about tourist sites, as well as receive first aid help. At the public beaches, CPC members worked under the scorching sun to pick up litter such as cigarette butts, paper scraps, fruit peels and plastic bags.

"This shows there is increasing awareness of and eagerness for volunteer work from Qinhuangdao's CPC members and its public," Wang said, adding that he hopes more of the city's residents will follow in the lead of the CPC members and help to create a comfortable, clean and beautiful environment for both domestic and foreign visitors.