Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) and wife Qian Wei at the charity event, on Oct22, 2016 [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

An international Charity sale, organized by the Foreign Ministry, was held in Beijing's national stadium on Saturday to help construct bridges in impoverished areas in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The charity sale attracted 88 embassies and representative offices of international organizations, as well as domestic and foreign enterprises, and individuals to participate.

Many foreign embassies set up stalls and booths to display items including crafts and food.. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and officials from the department of poverty alleviation visited the event.

The annual charity event was hosted by Qian Wei, the wife of foreign minister Wang Yi.

She said the funds raised this year would be used for building bridges in the mountainous Lingyun County and Tianlin County, so as to improve transportation conditions and communications in the region.

She also hoped the event would contribute to the national poverty reduction plan by the year 2020.

This year's event raised 3 million yuan in total.

The international charity sale first began in 2009 to raise funds for needy people. 

Qian Wei addressing at the 8th International Charity Sales, on Oct 22, 2016 [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]