A competition focused on environmental protection has been launched in Beijing to coincide with Earth Day, which fell on Friday.

The activity, dubbed V Blue Beijing, encourages citizens to record what they have done to reduce pollution in their day-to-day lives.

It was first held last year, when 100 volunteer organizations and 200 citizens were rewarded for their efforts to normalize the skies above the capital.

Among them was Liao Lichun, who organizes volunteers to plant trees in Inner Mongolia.

"People don't understand why I gave up my career as a successful entrepreneur to be a tree planter, and they wonder why I ask for volunteers from all over the country rather than hire local laborers at a lower cost," Liao said.

"The only explanation I can give is that I want more citizens to have a go and then carry on the good work themselves."

To enter the competition, participants can send examples of their environmental work to the official WeChat account for a chance to win a prize.

More than 1,000 environmental societies have publicized their volunteer activities via the official WeChat account and are expected to form an environmentally friendly league to further promote their work.

The launch ceremony for V Blue Beijing was held on COFCO farm, 38 kilometers outside of the city, where participants were invited to enjoy the pastoral scenery and learn more about environmental protection.