China's grassroots heroes nominated online

The deeds of 10 ordinary individuals and groups have inspired people across China and their stories could move the world.

The 10, who were selected by members of the public through an online vote, were named "People Moving China in 2015." They include a graduate student group, a girls' football team and a voluntary rescue team by Yangtze River.

Since 1998, graduate students in Tsinghua University sent 18 groups to act as teachers in rural areas of Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu and other less-developed regions. After 17 years, they have taught thousands of students to become "the most beautiful rural teachers."

Another group moving China is the girls' football team from Qiongzhong county of Hainan province, an area still in poverty. They have no football pitch or dining hall. But after nine years, the team represented China to join a teenagers football cup held in Gotheburg, Sweden this year, winning the championship.

In May 2010, over 100 volunteers in Wuhan city of Hubei Province founded a rescue team. In 2014, they rescued over 200 people on the Yangtze River. On Oct. 25 2014, volunteer Chen Zhonggui gave his life saving someone.

A total of 26 individuals and groups were candidates of the selection this year.

The online selection was initiated by Xinhua News Agency in 2010, to promote ordinary people's deeds and improve moral awareness. Endi