Feng Yong, 21, an environmental protection volunteer from southwest China's Sichuan Province, and a local driver, froze to death early on Sunday in the famous Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Feng and five other volunteers had been working in the reserve when their jeep broke down. The group walked back to base camp and later Feng and the driver returned to try to retrieve the jeep in another vehicle.

Just what happened next is, at the moment, a matter of speculation. It seems that the second vehicle also ran into trouble.

But what is known for sure is the overnight temperature plunged to as low as 30 degree Celsius .

One theory is they may have encountered wolves, prevalent and hungry at this time, and remained inside the unheated jeep waiting to be rescued.

Although a postmortem has not yet been carried out, it is thought the two lost consciousness and froze to death.

The shock deaths sparked a debate on the Internet where web surfers exchanged views on the question about whether such voluntary work should continue.

One netizen expressed his sympathy and saluted the courage of volunteers and said he would like to make a donation to Hol Xil Nature Reserve.

Caiga, a senior administrative officer of Hoh Xil, responding to the tragedy, said it was risky for outside volunteers, less experienced than local people, to work in the Nature Reserve during harsh winter conditions.

Ding Yuanzhu, director of the Research Center for Volunteering and Welfare under Peking University believes the accident will do nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of volunteers.

"But they have to learn to protect themselves and acquire more survival skills," said Ding, adding that a great deal remained to be done if volunteering is to achieve its potential.

"Government plays an important role in policy-making and law-making to guarantee both volunteers and voluntary organizations operate in a constructive environment, one that includes fund raising and program development."

Zhang Hongyu, a senior student of Xiamen University, was shocked at the news. Zhang cycled thousands of kilometers from Xiamen, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province, to Hoh Xil in the summer of 2000 to raise money for the protection of Tibetan antelope.

"Conditions are tough in Hoh Xil Nature Reserve area. One should be confident of his physical ability and strength and aware of the hard environment," he said. In a warning to others, Zhang spoke of the importance of being fully prepared when going to work in the wild and remote reserve. Even the most experienced can get into difficulties, he said.

Feng and his driver's sacrifice, working to help protect the precious environment of Hoh Xil, may highlight and bring to the forefront of the public's attention the need for such work. It may also bring much needed support to the nation's environmental protection fight.

There is a growing recognition in China of the impact of civil participation and the benefits of volunteering.

A survey conducted by Peking University Volunteer Center suggests the estimated population of Chinese aged 18 and older, who volunteered their time, skills and energy in 2001 was 769.57 million, both formally and informally. Many Chinese, during the course of a year, help improve the lives of others, their community, or their environment, either through their own efforts or through some organization.

A number of activities will be held today, International Volunteer Day, to reinforce the public's understanding of volunteer work.

(China Daily December 5, 2002)