Chinese netizens select grassroots heroes of 2013

Ten individuals or groups of grassroots heroes for 2013 were unveiled at an awards ceremony on Thursday.

Sponsored by Xinhua News Agency, netizens voted for their favorites in December via official websites, microblogs, short messages and smartphone applications.

The winners include a group of people who have fought for 35 years to build oases in deserts.

Shen Kequan and Shen Changjian, who tried on more than 1,000 occasions to cultivate high-quality rapeseed varieties, said that they believe "hybridization technology will have immeasurable social and economic effects."

Duan Fei created the first Chinese non-profit website to promote gratitude, helping more than 2,000 people in seven years.

"I came from a poor village in the mountainous areas and received help from others. I wanted to repay my parents by making their lives better and help more people via the website," said Duan.

The annual selection, the fourth of its kind since 2010, is to promote ordinary people's good deeds and improve moral awareness in society.