Intl volunteers serve as bridge linking Jingdezhen, world

When 65-year-old Philip Read appeared on Friday on the streets of Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, wearing a white volunteer uniform, a tourist from the United States approached him and said, "Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the ceramic museum?"

Read, who is a British citizen, immediately gave the tourist directions in English while recommending several distinctive ceramic studios at the local market.

Friday marked the opening of a market event at Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue in Jingdezhen, also known as "ceramic capital of China", and the debut of the Yangjingpiao volunteer team led by Read.

Yangjingpiao, which literally means foreign expats living in Jingdezhen, comprises foreigners who have settled in the city for the love of ceramic arts. The team's nine members are citizens of seven countries, including the US, the United Kingdom and Pakistan, and have lived in Jingdezhen for more than two years on average.

Their main tasks include promoting visa-related policies among foreigners, mediating disputes related to consumption or intellectual property involving foreigners, and introducing the city's cultural activities to international visitors.

On Friday alone, the volunteer team provided 24 translation services, gave policy consultations to 12 foreigners, and helped eight international visitors with small issues such as finding directions and making payments at the market.

"Volunteering here allows me to spread ceramic culture and help fellow foreigners. I feel like a bridge connecting the Chinese city and the world," Read said.

Read, who has lived in Jingdezhen for 36 years, is no stranger to volunteer work. Before he became the leader of the Yangjingpiao volunteer team, he was helping his foreign artist friends integrate into the local community.

"I have been in the habit of walking every day, having coffee, shopping, or visiting museums. I often meet foreigners new to Jingdezhen who face small difficulties, like not knowing the way to a certain attraction or where to buy daily necessities," he said.

"I am happy to introduce the city to them and show them around. Joining the volunteer team now just formalizes my old routine," he added.

Li Yuchen, a police officer at the Zhushan branch of the Jingdezhen Public Security Bureau, said, "With the growing influence of Jingde-zhen's ceramic culture, especially after the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy last December, more and more foreigners are coming to the city."

According to official data, Jingde-zhen received 83,100 inbound tourists in the first half of 2025, up 37.16 percent year-on-year, while inbound tourism consumption totaled 50.87 million yuan ($7.1 million), a year-on-year increase of 43.92 percent.

"However, we realized that foreign tourists often face problems understanding the visa policies, and there are also cross-cultural communication barriers. The Yangjingpiao community members, who have lived here for a relatively long time, understand both Chinese and foreign cultures and are familiar with foreigners' needs. They serve as a natural bridge," Li said.

Qurat Ul Ain from Pakistan, a 35-year-old PhD student at Jingde-zhen Ceramic University and a member of the volunteer team, said that many of her foreign friends have learned about the city's rich ceramic culture and historical heritage through her.

"They have always wanted to visit, but previously it was inconvenient. They had to participate in competitions or exhibitions to stay longer," she said. "However, given the new visa-related policies, many now plan to visit. I am very happy. I am introducing Jingdezhen to more and more people. I love this place, and want to stay and work here after graduation."

Michael May, a volunteer from the US, said he felt great after helping several foreigners during the event last week. "Jingdezhen is a beautiful city with a beautiful culture. We want our fellow foreigners who come here to feel safe and welcome," he added.