BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese college students have been urged to save food and adhere to a national anti-waste campaign.

An event to promote frugal university campuses was jointly held by the Ministry of Education and the Government Offices Administration (GOA) on Tuesday at Beijing Jiaotong University.

Xie Huanzhong, a senior official from the ministry, called on the students to participate in an "empty plate" drive that advocates cleaning one's plate and not wasting food.

"The youth should be a force to lead advancement in society. Chinese young people should take the initiative in practicing a frugal lifestyle and promoting ecological progress," GOA deputy head Gao Xiang said.

Gao further called on the universities to improve their conservation of energy, water and other resources.

About 1,000 teacher and student representatives from 37 colleges and universities attended Tuesday's event.

There are 33.25 million students in Chinese colleges and universities.