The first national committee for volunteers was set up on Friday in Beijing.

The Community Volunteer Committee, which is sponsored by the China Association of Social Workers, is the county's first national committee for volunteers.

The committee plans to create a registration system for volunteers and offer them professional skills training. It will also set up a community fund for voluntary work and try to develop links with international volunteer associations.

China's first community service organization started 16 years ago.

(CRI March 19, 2005)