SHANGHAI - Chinese have become increasingly active in volunteering activities on the international stage, a visiting UN official has said.

Rebecca Grynspan, UN Under-Secretary-General and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) associate administrator, made the remarks while making her first visit to Shanghai.

Grynspan is visiting China to learn about the development of Chinese youth volunteer services and inspect a local UN volunteer program.

Grynspan said she was surprised to learn how many volunteers and related organizations are in Shanghai, as well as complimented the volunteers' work.

The UNDP signed an agreement with the Chinese government to launch the Umbrella Programme in 2011 for the purpose of strengthening civic engagement and social innovation in China through volunteerism.

The Shanghai Youth Volunteers Association has participated in the program, providing training and guidance for youth volunteer organizations and promoting international volunteer exchanges.

"The program has helped 500 volunteer organizations in Shanghai to train volunteers so as to better serve society," Grynspan said.

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