At a ceremony held in the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, Eric Falt, director of Communications and Public Information of UNEP, handed the flag of the UN agency to the duo -- Li Jie, an enterpreneur, and Jin Feibao, a professional explorer, both from China's Yunnan Province.

The two mountaineers plan to explore the nine extreme points -- the highest mountains in the seven continents and the two poles -- to publicize the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On May 14, 2006, Jin, at the beginning of the adventure, successfully scaled the Mount Qomolongma, the highest in Asia and in the whole world. On Oct. 20, 2006, Jin and Li successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. On both occasions, they displayed the Chinese national flag and the flag of Beijing Olympics.

At Monday's function, Falt said that it is very good for the climbers to display the UNEP flag in their future adventures. "I should thank you for your willingness to do this meaningful thing for environment protection."

UNEP officials said since the climbers just finished their journey to Kilimajanro, they can find out that the white cap of Kilimanjaro is much smaller than it looks in old pictures.

Because of global warming, since 1912, there is clear evidence that the glaciers have shrunk consistently and dramatically. An estimated 82 percent of the icecap that crowned the mountain when it was first thoroughly surveyed in 1912 is now gone. It is the same situation in the high mountains in the other continents.

So, the officials said it is very meaningful action for the Chinese montaineers to advocate environment protection, to save the glacier in the high mountains which is vital for the areas around.

The two climbers said they are very grateful to have the opportunity to do something for UNEP and for environment protection.They vowed to do more things to push the public to join the movement of environment protection.

Jin and Li plan to finish their adventure before August, 2008 when the Beijing Olympics will be held.