A volunteer explains the use of automated external defibrillators to residents in a community in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Jan 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To better protect the life and health of people, and promote peace and progress in the society, the Zhejiang branch of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), a relief and aid organization that engages in humanitarian work, has been expanding and improving its functions and duties.

"The RCSC Zhejiang Branch is striving to build itself into an organization closer to people when upholding our main principles," Tao Jing, Party chief of the branch, told China Daily.

East China's Zhejiang province has long been known for its booming voluntary services to which the Red Cross organizations are making major contributions. According to Tao, a total of 25 percent of the total residents in the province were volunteers last year who actively took part in emergency rescue and humanitarian activities.

In Pujia community in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, a mechanism for voluntary services is being formed with the support from local Red Cross organization, according to Chen Zhenfeng, Party chief of the community.

Chen said 33 percent of Pujia's population was senior citizens, which makes it even more necessary to build a system to better serve residents.