BEIJING - Online voting kicked off on Tuesday to select China's grassroots heroes or "Good Samaritans" for the third quarter of 2013.

Initiated and sponsored by Xinhua News Agency, netizens can vote for their favorites online at www.xinhuanet.com or via microblogs and mobile applications.

A total of 10 individuals will be selected from 20 candidates known for actions that have drawn attention to moral and societal issues.

Shaanxi Province's Niu Yuqin, who over the last 28 years has planted over 73,000 hectares of trees to control desertification, is among the candidates.

Other candidates include Chen Zeren, who donated over 160 liters of blood in 10 years.

The vote is conducted quarterly in a bid to promote ordinary people's good deeds and improve moral awareness in society.