Volunteers protect environment

Celebrities have joined college students around China in the latest government initiative to protect the environment. The Great Wall was the focus of attention, with a clean up of the surrounding area, and tree planting. The volunteers hope their actions can raise public awareness about environmental protection.
Familiar faces including film star Jackie Chan and TV host Yang Lan from Hong Kong were at the Great Wall. Over 200 college students joined them. They're all volunteers for a government sponsored environmental protection program.
A latest government report warns, China's fragile environment and limited resources could hardly support economic development in the next five to ten years. However, Chinese citizens have long neglected environmental protection. Organizers hope these young people will influence people around.
Pan Yue, vice minister of State Environmental Protection Administration, said, "The government can only make policy. But environmental protection also depends on public participation. Public figures, ordinary people and the government should all join hands."
Around the country, over 10,000 college students joined their peers in Beijing -- planting trees, raising awareness about water conservation and cleaning rubbish from rivers.