A.A.M.Azarudeen, a Sri Lankan expat in Quzhou, pours a cup of tea he made for a watchman. [Photo/qz96811.com]

A.A.M.Azarudeen, a Sri Lankan expat in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has been taking an active part in epidemic control in the city since Feb 1, according to local media reports on Feb 6.

Azarudeen runs a store in downtown Quzhou with his Chinese wife, and each year he spends several months in his wife's home village of Lizhu.

This year the couple went to Lizhu for the Spring Festival, and the outbreak of the epidemic in the village has prevented them from leaving.

Due to the nationwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia at the beginning of 2020, Lizhu village started setting up checkpoints and arranging for local members of the Communist of China to register villagers leaving and entering, take temperatures and disinfect public areas on Feb 1.

Azarudeen couldn't help but notice the tireless efforts being made by the villagers, as he lived just 10 meters away from a checkpoint.

"They work really hard," said Azarudeen. "From seven in the morning to 11 at night and then doing shifts for the rest of the night."

It was for this reason that he volunteered to prepare lunch and dinner for the hard-working villagers every day.

Azarudeen has been giving the watchmen something new each day, including Sri Lankan delicacies, such as charpati and curry rice, as well as local food.

Azarudeen said that he sees China as his second home after 13 years of living in Quzhou, and feels obligated to play his part during this critical period for the country.