This year's election of "Green China Annual Figures," a government-sponsored prize for environmental protection, was kicked off in Beijing on Sunday.

Pan Yue, vice director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and organizer of the election, said the people who have made long-term efforts in protecting China's water resources or made great contributions in dealing with serious water pollution emergencies will be highly praised this year.

"The election is a bid to encourage the people who have been deeply involved in environmental protection in China," Pan said.

The award ceremony will be held on Dec. 12 in Beijing, and the public is welcome to participate in the nomination process and vote for candidates.

The prize was co-established in 2005 by SEPA and six other governmental departments to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution towards 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)