An art exhibition on environmental protection was held in China's northern metropolis of Tianjin on Thursday, the first stop of its world tour.  

Initiated by the United Nations, the show, dubbed "Parchemin auTour du Monde," began in Paris this month to invite children to draw their wishes of a better environment in their hometown. It aimed to help children learn about the environment and public health, said the sponsor Veolia Environment based in France.

About 1,000 children under 12 in Tianjin drew for the show and six of them were given UN drawing awards. The tour will continue to Guangzhou and Shanghai before going to some 30 other countries. All the art works will be shown at a UN-Habitat conference in Paris in June, said the Tianjin Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2004)