Chinese and expat volunteers pose for a group photo during the May 22 event in Pingshan. Photos from Pingshan Subdistrict Office

More than 10 Chinese and expat volunteers gathered in Pingshan Subdistrict on May 22 for the area’s second English signage improvement event. The initiative aims to make Pingshan District more open, convenient, and welcoming for international visitors ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, to be held in Shenzhen in November. 

At Innovation Plaza, Liuhecheng shopping center and surrounding areas, expat volunteers carefully reviewed signage for mistakes and “Chinglish,” offering suggestions from a native-speaker perspective. Chinese volunteers, meanwhile, ensured translations fit the actual scenarios and contexts.

Together, they checked and discussed signs to make sure every label is clear, natural, and easy to understand. The coordinated approach helped keep the review efficient and accurate, earning strong recognition from local merchants and residents.

Aziz Fitima (2nd R) from Pakistan and Chinese volunteers inspect the English wording on an alarm sign. 

Christine Bubeck (L) from Brazil and a Chinese volunteer check the English translation on a mobile phone.

An international volunteer service station was also launched at Innovation Plaza, expanding Pingshan Subdistrict’s international services from residential communities into bustling commercial areas. It provides a “warm home” for expats working, running errands, or shopping, and also serves as a key platform for accessing local information and services.

“When I first arrived, the subdistrict office helped me a lot,” said Brazilian volunteer Christine Bubeck. “Now I want to help others. Clear signs help foreigners settle in faster and easier.”

Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, Pingshan Subdistrict addresses each scene and problem with tailored solutions — from government service windows to commercial and residential areas, and from streets to cultural spaces.

Zhang Maxin (L), who oversees Pingshan Subdistrict’s internationalization efforts, and Liu Keyi, operations supervisor at Ping An Operation, hold a sign that reads “Pingshan Subdistrict International Volunteer Service Station.”

“I joined this error-spotting event after a friend recommended it — it’s very meaningful,” said Aziz Fitima, a Pakistani student at Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen). “Pingshan has so many great places to eat and explore. Every visit feels different.”

Against the backdrop of the 2026 APEC “China Year,” standardized foreign-language signage helps reduce misunderstandings, convey goodwill, and showcase Pingshan’s warm hospitality. Looking ahead, Pingshan Subdistrict will continue to work with both Chinese and expat volunteers — using signage as a bridge and service as a bond — to present a more open, inclusive, and welcoming city image to the world.

Volunteers inspect the English translation on a luggage storage notice in Pingshan.