Liu has had help from various partners at home and abroad to organize the English corner over the years. In 2010, nine universities in Guilin formed an English club league, with members providing important assistance in arranging numerous language activities.

"When you do volunteer work for a long time, you receive rewards and have a strong sense of achievement," he said. "But were it not for the help from these friends, I wouldn't have done it for such a long time."

Despite spending two decades immersed in English-language learning, Liu's knowledge is limited to just a few simple expressions.

"When I realized the importance of English after China's reform and opening-up in the 1980s, I knew my ability was not equal to my ambition, but Guilin was short of English learning materials and opportunities then," he said.

Today, while people have conversations about their languages and cultures, he said he sits and smiles.

"I'll appear at the English corner for as long as my physical strength permits me to do so," he added. "I don't want Guilin children today to have the same regrets as me when it comes to learning English."