China will celebrate the ninth "International Ozonosphere Protection Day," which falls on Sept. 16, by awarding organizations, projects and individuals who help to protect the ozone layer.

Six ozonosphere protection awards will be jointly conferred by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the China Environmental Culture Promotion Association on individuals or organizations committed to protecting the ozone layer.

According the award organizing committee, five awards will be given to those who have made special efforts to protecting the ozone layer within the past 12 months.

The other golden award will be dedicated to an organization or individual who has demonstrated a more long-term commitment.

The awards will be issued for the following six consecutive years.

A special website, www.cn916.org, will open on July 20 to detail relevant issues pertaining to the award.

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to protecting the ozone layer and has formulated some 40 administrative policies toward that end.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2003)