Four Chinese green pioneers have made it to the British newspaper the Guardian's final list of 50 ultimate "Green Heroes," as the people most able to prevent the Earth's continued environmental destruction.

These four green pioneers are Pan Yue, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration; Shi Zhengrong, a solar cell scientist and a businessman in solar panel manufacturing; Ma Jun, a writer and activist fighting against infringement on environmental standards; and Jia Zhangke, the director of the film Still Life, considered to be the best-known cinematic critique of ecological problems in China.

Other candidates on the list include German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Guardian says Pan Yue "has become a hero for his willingness to stand up to corporations and local governments that jeopardize public health in the rush for economic growth. The world - as well as China - needs him to succeed."

According to the Guardian, Shi Zhangrong may possibly help China overtake Japan as the world's leading supplier of solar technology. His company, Suntech Power, is one of the world's ten largest manufacturers of solar panels.

Ma Jun set up the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, which cooperates with the government to resolve China's environmental problems. His Web site names and shames companies and local governments that violate environmental standards.

As for Jia Zhangke, the Guardian says he is among the most prominent artists raising awareness about the environment.

Nineteen nationalities are represented on the newspaper's list. Nearly one in five of those people come from the United States, and one in three hails from a developing country.

Pan Yue

Jia Zhangke

Shi Zhengrong

Ma Jun

(CRI January 11, 2008)