Apps link up volunteers with needy

Some leading Chinese charities have started launching specialist mobile applications in an effort to give information to people in need, and those offering to work as volunteers.

One of the latest is a charity app called Voluntime, launched by China CYTS Bestway Expo Management Co Ltd, an organization which helps volunteering services pool their information.

"China has more than 100 million people volunteering every year, but there is still a lack of people in certain areas such as professional mental care, massage, and even hairdressing," said Liu Hongwei, CYTS's general manager, comparing its app in style to taxi-hailing app Didi Kuaidi.