On June 13th 2003, Central Committee of Communist Youth League and Ministry of Education jointly held a news release conference for Graduate Students Volunteer Plan in Western China and officially announce the launch of the Plan, calling university graduates to serve western China and make contribution in the places where our nation needs them most.

The Plan is a project jointly implemented by Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and Ministry of Education according to the "Circular of State Council on Carrying out Work related to University Graduates Employment in 2003" and in the spirit of video conference concerning university graduates employment in 2003. It is supported and financed by Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Personnel. This Plan helps poverty stricken areas in western China develop education, public health, agricultural technology and poverty alleviation cause by introducing college students to western China, to basic level units and to the places where our nation needs them most. It also helps college students expand employment opportunities and possibilities to start a business, developing them into outstanding people with modern knowledge on culture and science, with work experience in basic units and with a strong sense of social obligation. This project started from 2003. Every year it selects a number of university graduates through various means such as public recruitment, application, recommendation and assignment, to work as volunteers in poor counties and town in western China in the areas of education, agricultural technology, poverty alleviation and youth centre construction, etc for a period of one or two years. After the volunteering term is over, they are encouraged to settled down, or choose their own career or seek job opportunities.

Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Personnel all sent announcement to make specific requirements for implementing this project. In order to encourage university graduates to participate in the project, the announcement stated that apart from state preferential policies for university graduates, the volunteers participating in Plan will also receive policy support from certain government departments. University and society are encouraged to offer help and support to the university graduated volunteers concerning their work, life, study, employment and business.

It is learned that during these years of implementing this Plan, tens of thousands of university graduated volunteers have served poor regions in western China in the area of education, public health, agricultural technology, poverty alleviation and youth centre construction and management. With their hard effort and wisdom, these volunteers have made great contribution to the places where our nation needs them most. This plan of is a great, honorable, yet long term and difficult cause. It needs many young people to devote their youth and talents with passion and commitment. Therefore Central Committee of Communist Youth League and Ministry of Education jointly established a leadership group and project management for general planning, coordination and guidance. Youth League committee and education department of provincial, municipal and district level, and university and the volunteer site will also set up leadership group and project office for coordination of work and volunteer daily management.

In addition, Central Committee of Communist Youth League and Ministry of Education request all Youth League groups and educational departments to strengthen leadership and cooperation to safeguard the successful implementation of the project. According to particular needs of the poor regions in western China, university graduates with good character, excellent academic performance and strong commitment are selected for the project. Graduates majoring in agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, medical science and teaching at colleges in western China are encouraged for the project in particular. Volunteers will be arranged for appropriate posts. Necessary work and living conditions will be provided and relevant guarantee policies will be implemented. Meanwhile, relevant departments, work units should be contacted to create favorable conditions for the volunteers to take further study, find job or start business once their volunteer term is over. The implementation of the project intends to initiate a move for college student to serve western China and mobilize college students with noble goal of serving our nation and people to face difficult condition, develop their abilities and make contribution to our country. The places and unit accommodating volunteers should strengthen the training and management for volunteers, care for their living condition and safety and make sure this project is implemented successfully.