China on Monday credited 77 construction projects involving nearly 20 sectors including food, medicine and road construction for their sound performance in environment protection.

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), the event organizer, said the honor is the highest award for construction projects with environment protection merits.

Zhu Xingxiang, director of the supervision and management department under SEPA, said the 77 projects have been selected from a total of 111 recommended by local environmental protection departments, for their advanced designs, well-run facilities, and effective management.

Zhu said SEPA hopes to encourage more companies to increase awareness of environment protection and promote voluntary good practice by construction companies.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2003)