Writer Wang Mengmeng is about to begin her third book on volunteers in China, Chen Qide reports.

Wang Mengmeng uses volunteers at the Expo 2010 Shanghai as subjects for her third book on the work of volunteers in China.

The 27-year-old writer from Qingdao in Shandong province, herself a volunteer, has decided that the last of a trilogy of books on volunteers will be on those who give their time freely at the Expo.

She said she will try to reflect what Expo volunteers have done to boost the image and statue of this world event.

"I am deeply moved by what they have done for the event and I have a strong desire to document their work and achievements," she said.

The young writer said she is currently preparing to research the subject and interview Expo volunteers.

Wang was speaking while presenting copies of her latest book, Mijiu, to more than 50 Expo volunteers at the Shanghai Book Fair.

The book looks at the lives and work of volunteers protecting the environment and endangered animal species.

"My new book about the Expo volunteers will be my last on volunteers," she said.

Wang spoke to the Expo volunteers at the book-presentation ceremony held by the Shanghai Volunteers Association and the Shanghai Literature and Arts Publishing House.

"Volunteers can play a big role in making the world harmonious," she said.

"It is my pleasure to present copies of my book to Expo volunteers."

"The theme I express in the book should accord with that of the World Expo, letting people live in a harmonious world."

Wang has channeled her energy since her graduation from university in 2006 to volunteer work.

She started as a volunteer teacher in a poverty-stricken area in Yunnan province. She then volunteered to work at a Natural Protection Zone in Yancheng, Jiangsu province.

These volunteer experiences helped her complete the first two books on the work of volunteers.

Her first book describes the happiness and hardships teachers faced when they worked in the poverty-stricken mountainous areas. The second tells a story about the strenuous effort two generations of Chinese and foreign animal projectionists have made to protect the environment and wildlife in China.

She suffered a lot when living and working with locals as a volunteer. But all this provided abundant material for her novels, she said.

"Being a volunteer helps me learn a lot from the people. It helps me mature," Wang said.

(China Daily 08/20/2010)