"I am a foreigner, but not an outsider," Ma Wenxuan said. "In the current COVID-19 pandemic period, I am willing to use the knowledge I have gained to contribute to the city's fight against the virus, because Shaanxi is my second hometown," he added.

Ma, an international Kazakhstan student at the Institute of International Education at Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, recently served as a volunteer for the Shanglin sub-district in Xixian New Area – a national development zone cobuilt by Xi'an and Xianyang cities in Northwest China's Shaanxi province – to help with the prevention and control of the virus.

Ma Wenxuan assists medics to conduct nucleic acid sampling. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Ma began to study acupuncture and massage at Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2014. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2019, he started postgraduate studies.

Speaking fluent Mandarin and wearing heavy protective clothing, Ma helped members of staff carry out prevention and control tasks at a community pandemic prevention point.

Ma Wenxuan delivers supplies to people's homes. [Photo/Xi'an news network]