Kind-hearted volunteers in Beijing top 2m

The people who live in China's capital are often depicted as cold-hearted and unfriendly, but the latest volunteer figures show more than 2 million people have signed up to give their time to helping others.

Some 2,000,216 registered for volunteer work as of March 5, 2013, achieving the goal of the Draft of Beijing's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) ahead of time.

The number of volunteer organizations also rose from 4,704 to 7,201.

On Tuesday an event was held by 756 voluntary organizations to demonstrated their services.

Volunteer activities range from offering help to earthquake victims, to caring for elderly or offering to assist at big events like the Beijing Olympics.

A volunteer star badge scheme has also been launched where people will be rewarded for the hours they dedicate to helping others.