This year's election of "Green China Annual Figures", a
government-sponsored prize for environmental protection, was kicked
off on Sunday.
Pan Yue, vice director of the State Environmental Protection
Administration (SEPA), organizer of the election, said the people
who have made long-term efforts in protecting China's water
resources or made great contribution in dealing with serious water
pollution emergencies will be highly praised this year.
"The election is in a bid to encourage the people who have been
deeply involved in the environmental protection in China," Pan
said.
The rewarding ceremony will be held on Dec. 12 in Beijing. The
public are welcome to participate in the nomination process and
voting for candidates.
The prize is co-established in 2005 by the SEPA and other six
government departments to honor those who have made outstanding
contribution to combating environmental degradation in the
country.
Altogether 13 people were titled "Green China Annual Figures" in
previous two years.
(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2007)