A team of student environmentalists from universities in Beijing was established Sunday to promote environmental protection activities during the coming Universiade.

Most of them belong to a group of environmentalist volunteers consisting of students from institutions such as Beijing University, Tsinghua University and Beijing Forestry University.

The "Green Service Team" will conduct garbage-recycling work in the stadiums to be used by the international student athletes and the Universiade Village, said Zhu Baochuan, one of the leaders of the group.

"From the recycled garbage we can pick out material to make handicrafts," said Bi Xiaohuan, a freshman at Beijing Forestry University, who is a member of the "Green Service Team."

The team plans to present some environment-friendly handicrafts to overseas athletes during the Universiade.

The team will also engage in cleaning and taking care of grassland around the locations where the games will take place, Zhu said.

Meanwhile, large numbers of Beijing college students will offer services for the Universiade, such as reception, interpretation and guiding.

The Chinese government has adopted a number of special environmental protection measures for the Universiade, including using solar energy for lighting and setting up environmentally-friendly toilets, besides planting trees and grass in the Universiade Village.

The 21st Universiade will be held in Beijing this fall, and more than 6,000 athletes and coaches from about 160 countries and regions are expected to participate.

(People's Daily 04/02/2001)