He officially registered as a volunteer in May 2017, and immediately took the lead in a cleanup activity on the Sanya River, which is regarded as the city's "mother river".

"Along with sanitation workers, we (volunteers) collected litter with nets. Most of it was household garbage. I never imagined that the river contained that much trash," he said. "I've become even more concerned about water protection because I remember that in about 2000 some of the city's 22 rivers smelled bad, but few volunteers were joining environmental protection activities. Back then, people didn't have much understanding of the need to protect the water.

"It's meaningful work for me, and I feel very happy when I see clean, beautiful water and beaches. Through my volunteer work, I've made many friends who have a positive attitude to life. They really cheer me up. I've also been given many honors and prizes because of those activities, which I never imagined would happen."

His environmental protection work also proved to be a matchmaker as he met his wife during a river-cleaning activity in 2017. They married a year later.

In April 2021, Li spent 30,000 yuan ($4,330) to set up his own volunteer service center, and has since organized over 360 water-protection activities, popularized environmental protection and arranged care for seniors who live alone in Hainan's rural areas.

So far, he has spent about 3,800 hours on volunteer activities in over 550 events, and encouraged more than 2,300 people to join good causes. His volunteer center has 1,170 registered members who take part in charitable activities without asking for payment.