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)