"The awards show our recognition for the efforts on wildlife protection. Those efforts will contribute to the improvement of public awareness on wildlife protection, which is a crucial part of China's goal of building it a more beautiful country," said Chen Fengxue, head of the association. 

Yang Liuying, an official from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the General Administration of Customs, said a determined attitude will be maintained to crack down on wildlife and related products' smuggling and illegal trade. 

The Wildlife Guardian Action award is the first of its kind in the country. It enhances public awareness about protection of endangered wildlife and crimes that threaten species.