China's southern city of Quanzhou has received the international "Nations in Bloom" award from the Netherlands' International Park and Well-being Association.

The "Nations in Bloom" award, considered the "the Green Oscar," is given every year by the Netherlands' organization, which is recognized by the United Nations Environment Program.

Located on the southeastern coast of Fujian in the lower reaches of the Jinjiang River, Quanzhou, with a population of 190,000, is well known in China for its stone carvings and sculptures.

Back from his epic voyage to China in 1298, Marco Polo described Quanzhou in his famous book and praised the city for its wonderful silk products.

Local officials said that Quanzhou city has become the fifth city in China to earn the title of "Nations in Bloom" following Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hangzhou city.

The prize covers such areas as landscaping, heritage administration, environmental practice and the future layout.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2003)