A total of 99 towns across China have been honored as "environment-friendly" for their effective protection of the environment and the provision of a quality life to local residents.

The towns nominated in 2005 are scattered in 19 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, according to a bulletin released by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) on January 26.

East China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces are at the top of the list, with each having 37, 14 and 13 towns winning the awards, respectively.

In the bulletin, the SEPA calls on the towns to cherish their honor, continue to pursue sustainable development and provide quality air, water and food to local residents.

China began honoring environment-friendly towns in 2002, and by 2004, 79 towns nationwide had been granted the title. China has also launched a series of similar policies at provincial, city and county levels to boost the country's efforts of building an energy-conserving and environment-friendly society.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2006)