China will begin a nationwide selection of individuals and groups who have distinguished themselves in the rescue and relief efforts after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that stroke southwest Sichuan and neighboring provinces on May 12.

The winners of the selection will be cited as "heroic groups" and "role models" in national quake rescue and relief efforts," according to a joint decision of the Communist Party of China(CPC) Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Committee.

All the provinces, central departments, and the People's Liberation Army will nominate their candidates.

Candidates should mainly come from grassroots officials, the common people, volunteers, as well as those from public security, education, civil affairs, health, transportation, water resources, earthquake administration, weather service and media sectors, the decision says.

The May 12 quake, the deadliest for decades, claimed nearly 70,000 lives and left more than 17,000 others missing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)