Volunteers help sanitation workers clean street in Harbin on Oct 25, the day before Sanitation Workers’ Day. [Photo/my399.com]

A total of 4,500 volunteers experienced life as a street cleaner as they joined a campaign to clean the streets in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, on Oct 25, the day before Sanitation Workers’ Day.

When volunteers arrived at the designated place before dawn, street cleaners had started sweeping the street already.

"I used to believe sweeping the street was such an easy job, but today I find I am totally wrong. The countless fallen leaves, cigarette butts and waste papers can be anywhere, and sometimes it is annoying to bend over to pick them up,” said a young volunteer with sweat on her brow.

"Today I experienced the difficulty of a street cleaner, and I hope more people can respect the work of street sweepers and help to keep the streets clean,” the young volunteer added.

Seeing so many volunteers helping clean the streets, many residents heading for the morning market and morning exercises joined in.

"It’s heartwarming to see so many people care about us, and I hope more and more people can help keep our city clean as if it were their home,” said a sanitation worker who was sweeping a street in Nangang district.