👍On December 8th, a special policy briefing was held in the lecture hall at Taoxichuan, Jingdezhen. Ditching rigid jargon for laughter and cheer, the organizers turned the classroom into a theater. Police officers from the Zhushan branch of the Jingdezhen Public Security Bureau, joined forces with Read Philip Lenard and Michael May, members of a volunteer team comprising international artists living in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, to vividly interpret a series of practical policies for living and working in Jiangxi through a situational play, which was attended by more than 30 foreign artists.
Launched on July 16, 2025, by the Zhushan branch of the Jingdezhen Public Security Bureau, the Foreign "Jing Drifter" Volunteer Service Team is the first foreign volunteer team in Jiangxi Province. Its 11 members come from 9 different countries. Leveraging the "Zhushan Police-Citizen Service Platform" in daily operations, the team assists police officers in a wide range of areas including entry reception, policy consultation, language support, and integrate into society. So far, they have organized 9 special service activities, provided policy consultation and translation support to 150 individuals, and served over 500 individuals.
"I’ve been living in Jingdezhen for over 30 years; this is my hometown." says Philip, a Canadian who leads the volunteer team, with immense pride. While dedicated to his artistic creations, Philip has also been sharing snippets of his life in Jingdezhen on RedNote (Xiaohongshu), showcasing the city’s beauty through his lens and becoming deeply familiar with every inch of its landscapes. This has laid a solid foundation for him to take the lead in this voluntary initiative.
Michael May, another volunteer, can relate deeply to this sentiment. When he first arrived in Jingdezhen, he was once at a loss over visa-related issues. However, with the patient and meticulous assistance of police officer Li Yuchen from the Zhushan branch of the Jingdezhen Public Security Bureau, his problems were resolved satisfactorily. Upon learning about the establishment of the Foreign "Jing Drifter" Volunteer Service Team, Michael signed up without hesitation, eager to use his own experience to help others in similar situations.
"Foreign artists often feel anxious when they first come to Jingdezhen due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with local policies. Having gone through the same challenges ourselves, we understand their needs better than anyone else." Michael says, echoing the shared aspiration of all team members.
Drawing on their firsthand experience, the volunteers interpret policies and guide procedures for newly arrived foreign artists, effectively bridging cultural gaps. For instance, Indian artist Vijay Kumar successfully extended his 30 day short-term visa to 90 days with the team’s assistance. "The services here are incredibly convenient and friendly. They allow me to focus wholeheartedly on my creations." Vijay remarks happily.
This convenient and efficient service experience is far from unique, it is evolving into a unique urban appeal of Jingdezhen. Anastasiya Huminskaya , a Belarusian artist who has taught in Hubei for many years, has also formed a deep impression of the city’s inclusiveness and thoughtfulness after hearing the firsthand experiences of many foreign friends.
Having lived in China for 14 years, Anastasiya is no stranger to visa applications for work purposes and is well aware of policy differences across Chinese cities. "In other cities, the entire visa application process can take up to three months and requires a mountain of documents. But in Jingdezhen, with the help of the volunteer team, visa processing is fast and straightforward. I’ve never heard of any foreigner facing difficulties here." she says. This convenience has motivated her to recommend Jingdezhen to friends and family back home: "This is an ideal place for artistic creation, and many outstanding artists have chosen to come here for exactly this reason."
"My soul is deeply imprinted with Chinese culture, my compatriots even call me a ‘China hand’." she says. The years of living in China have given her a profound understanding of Chinese culture, which she has seamlessly integrated into her artistic works. She particularly enjoys incorporating elements of traditional Chinese hairstyles and martial arts dance into her creations. The figures in her works, dressed in traditional Chinese attire and practicing martial arts, serve as a unique medium for her cross-cultural expression. These artworks have been exhibited in Belarus and other countries, earning widespread acclaim. "People love these pieces because they embody my unique experiences in China, offering them a more authentic and multi-dimensional glimpse of the country." Anastasiya explains.
#Jingdezhen #CulturalExchanges #PorcelainCapital #JingDrifters #Volunteers
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