"Without sounds, it is also an expression of feelings." 

This year's International Day of the Deaf is marked on September 26. CGTN spoke to Chen Xin, a Generation-Z boy, to find out his stories with these "silent" friends.

Chen is a student in Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province. He has another identity as a sign language interpreter. Since he got a Chinese qualification certificate for sign language interpreters in June 2018, he has provided more than 1,200 hours' service.

In countless memories, Chen's most impressive experience was on February 11, 2020. At 10:08 p.m. that day, he got a message from the medical staff of Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. They asked for a sign language interpreter for a 75-year-old female COVID-19 patient. This deaf woman was too frail to communicate by writing. Chen made a video call with her in the afternoon the next day. In a critical condition at the time, she could not eat due to a sore throat for about five days. Chen reported her condition to the medical staff and told her things she needed to care. He encouraged her to be confident for recovery as people from all over China were giving strong support to Wuhan people. Chen had second and third follow-up video calls with her before she recovered eventually.

After telling this story, Chen put on his red volunteer vest and began his one-day work as a sign language interpreter at 9:00 a.m.. His deaf friends were excited to meet him at the hall of the Disabled Persons' Federation. "Put on the earphones and push the button when hearing the sound." He patiently interpreted the doctor's instructions and helped eight deaf people in their listening tests in the morning.

After the lunch with deaf friends, Chen had tight afternoon schedule. He recorded some sign language videos about the Delta variant in the studio, held sign language training for enthusiasts and community workers, and accompanied a hearing-impaired patient to see a doctor in the hospital.

Finishing the work, Chen arrived at Longchi Lake at 5:30 p.m. as he appointed with his deaf friends. He talked with them 30 years older than him about different topics, from their daily life to the construction of the city. He said, as Generation-Z, he wanted to develop new things and learn new areas. The statistics show that Nanjing has more than 12,000 hearing-impaired people with disability certificate. However, only six sign language interpreters work with Nanjing Disabled Person's Federation. On average, only one sign language interpreter can be booked for every 2,000 hearing-impaired people. After his graduation, Chen planed to be a professional sign language interpreter and offer services for deaf people in his region and all around China.

When the evening shadowed and the stars appeared, Chen and his deaf friends used sign language to make gestures of "love" together.

"Sign language creates relationships without barriers." Silent voices also make a sound.

Video director: Shi Chan

Video editor: Shi Chan

Cover photo designer: Li Jingjie

Chief editors: Lin Dongwei, Qin Xiaohu

Producers: Li Tianfu, Zhu Danni

Executive producer: Wen Yaru

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei