A senior security volunteer on duty in Beijing, while a child plays with her red armband during the second week of the ‘two sessions'. Photo taken on March 10. [Photo/IC]

Volunteers at the frontline

Although keeping a low profile, security volunteers have been a prominent force in every big event held in Beijing, from 2008 Olympics, APEC meetings to the ongoing "two sessions".

They, most of whom are seniors aged above 50, patrol with a red armband at every corner on the streets, from high-rise pedestrian overcrossings to narrow but long hutong (alleys), to maintain social order.

The official statistics show that there are 800,000 officially registered volunteers in Beijing, while the actual number mobilized to serve as volunteers was as high as two million, dfic.cn reported.