Zhoushan takes unique path to strengthen civilization

Fishing vessels in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, have been transformed into civilization practice ships to extend volunteer services from the land to the sea. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province has been exploring a unique way to extend volunteer services from the land to the sea in an effort to carry out the New Era Civilization Practice.

With over 6,500 fishing vessels and nearly 200,000 maritime workers, Zhoushan is leveraging its unique maritime resources to innovate and create civilization practice ships.

A fleet of transportation boats, fishery law enforcement vessels, and fishing boats have been transformed into mobile libraries, senior citizen service teams, theoretical and cultural pontoon boats, and more.

These services provide targeted policy promotion, cultural activities, proxy services, medical assistance, humanistic care, elder support, and ecological conservation to meet the livelihood and spiritual culture needs of the residents of small islands.

"We voluntarily bring back the marine waste and plastic collected during our sea trips for centralized disposal," said Huang Zheng, the captain of a fishing vessel that has been converted into a civilization practice ship.

The city is currently home to 265 civilization practice vessels, 31 practice sites, and four practice centers. A total of more than 9,600 mass cultural practice activities have been carried out, benefiting about 356,000 people.