The Chinese Communist Youth League (CCYL) has called for the setting up of a long-term, sustainable mechanism to promote volunteer activities in the country.

It said this will ensure better support at the nation's top events and promote economic development.

Lu Hao, first secretary of the Central Committee of the CCYL, said: "The league should build a deep, sustainable and effective mechanism in enhancing volunteer services while exploring new systems to motivate more people to join in these activities.

"The mechanism should also meet the spirit, passion, and expertise of young volunteers as well as social needs."

He said (the volunteer system) will play a vital role in the 2008 Olympic Games, 2010 Shanghai Expo, and in earthquake reconstruction.

Lu was addressing the opening ceremony of the 16th Chinese Youth League National Congress at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on Tuesday.

All nine members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China attended the conference.

The league has called up more than 1.5 million volunteers to help out at the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games and the Paralympics Games.

Lu said volunteer activities cover a wide range - rescue and relief work, poverty alleviation, community building, eco-biology and environmental protection.

About 70,000 college graduates have participated in campaigns to alleviate poverty in the remote western regions of the country in the past five years.

The league will keep encouraging young people to actively take part in the nation's economic development and to work on initiatives to enhance employment and entrepreneurship, Lu said.

The league is exploring ways on how to better serve and meet the needs of young people, he said.

Lu said the focus of the league's work will be on children in the rural areas, children of migrant workers, orphans, the disabled and jobless families.

Also on the league's agenda is the further implementation of laws and regulations to protect the rights of youths, and the establishment of a team of professional social workers to deal with issues related to the young.

(China Daily June 11, 2008)