Editor's note: East China's Zhejiang province is renowned for its large international population. Aloft on the wings of China's reform and opening-up policy, a group of Zhejiang people have gone abroad to make a living since the 1970s. As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the policy, the Zhejiang website (www.ezhejiang.gov.cn) is launching a series of stories about overseas Chinese who are originally from Zhejiang, as well as those who are active in the province's development. Stories courtesy of Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Zheshang Magazine

He Jun is the founder of Ramunion, a charity organization in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

"I don't smoke. I don't drink. My only hobby is doing charity," said He Jun, the founder of Ramunion, a charity organization in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang.

He Jun and twelve other philanthropically-inclined friends established Ramunion in 2003. After 15 years of development, it has become one of the top non-governmental charity organizations in the country, having played a part in over 200 rescue operations both at home and abroad.

On Aug 8, 2017, a 7-magnitude earthquake hit Jiuzhaigou county in Sichuan province. An 18-strong rescue team was dispatched immediately by Ramunion from Hangzhou. Working in an area affected by continuous aftershocks and landslides, they helped to find 14 missing people on the first day alone.

Over 23,000 volunteers have registered with Ramunion. The organization now owns seven branches in China and six overseas branches, including in the US, Italy, Ethiopia and Ecuador. It was also the first Chinese non-governmental charity organization to take part in collaborations with Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Following the collapse of a dam and subsequent flooding in Laos last July, He Jun led a Ramunion rescue team to deal with the aftermath of the disaster, rescuing six villagers and receiving warm praise for their work.

"The country is getting stronger after the reform and opening-up and we are now able to do more meaningful work." He Jun said.

Ramunion established the Traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Global Competition in 2014. He Jun has been promoting the event around the world, hoping people can gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through the competition.