Cityofficials said recently that more than 30,000 residents applied to serve asvolunteers for September's BRICS Summit. Applicants include a significant number of permanent city residents as well as domestic and international students at local universities. More than 2,000 volunteers will be selected shortly to begin a training program. The screening process includes physical and written tests as well as a series of interviews. All volunteers must alsopass a basic Chinese and English language skills test. Training sessions over the next three months will cover BRICS Summit information and general city knowledge as well as etiquette and language training and emergency preparedness. A second round of training will focus specifically on the various roles that volunteers will fill. Prior to the summit, all volunteers will participate in arange of live field exercises.