Sina Weibo joins search to find budding environmental protectors

Chinese social network Sina Weibo has teamed up with the United Nations Environment Programme to seek out budding eco-warriors.

Young Champions of the Earth in China aims to identify talented people age 18 to 30 with inspiring ideas on how to save the environment.

Candidates can now submit creations and innovations to Sina Weibo, with the best three to be selected in late May through an online poll and expert panel.

The winners will receive seed funding as well as intensive training and tailored mentoring to help bring their big environmental ideas to life.

"Many young people on our platform are interested in environmental protection and engaged in charities, so we hope the new generation will lead the way in safeguarding our Earth and beautifying our country," said Cao Guowei, CEO and chairman of Sina, the tech company behind Sina Weibo.

At a launch ceremony on Wednesday, celebrities including Wang Junkai, a member of popular band TFboys, also shared their experiences and opinions on protecting the environment.

"China has never lacked young environmental protectors," Wang said, adding that he hopes to see more young people join the initiative and pay attention to safeguarding the Earth.