The State Economic and Trade Commission has promulgated rules for the appraisals and classification of green hotels. The rules have set indexes for safety, health and environmental protection.

The standards came into effect as of March 1. Green hotels denote environmentally friendly management in light of the ideas of safety, health and environmental friendliness. Such hotels should encourage green consumption and work to protect ecology and rationally utilize resources. They are classified into Class A to Class AAAAA, marked with the leave of the gingko.

(www.cenews.com.cn March 4, 2003)