Xi confers national honorary titles on 10 recipients

China

Xi confers national honorary titles on 10 recipients

2024-09-29 11:53 Last Updated At：18:47

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded honorary titles of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to 10 recipients at the Great Hall of the People on Sunday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, assisted the awardees in donning the medals and greeted each of them with handshake.

The national honorary titles, including "the People's Scientist," "the People's Artist," "the People's Craftsman" and "the People's Educator," were awarded to 10 prominent figures for their remarkable contributions. Among them, two were posthumously recognized for their accomplishments.

Bayika Kalidibek, a veteran border patrolman of the Tajik ethnic group in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was honored with the title of "People's Guard." Since 1972 when he was 20 and took over the border patrol guide service from his father, Bayika had performed more than 700 border patrols, each of which would last from several days to several weeks. In 2004, Bayika passed on the role to his son Laqini Bayika, who was inspired by the devotion of his father and grandfather and set the goal to assume their position since his childhood. Unfortunately, the young patrolman passed away on Jan 4, 2021 at the age of 41 when attempting to rescue a boy from drowning in a frozen lake in Kashgar City.

The title of "People's Artist" was conferred on actress Tian Hua, whose portrayal of iconic female characters in early Chinese cinema has left a lasting impact on the industry. Her performances have not only demonstrated her exceptional talent but also reflected the evolving role of women in society.

Xu Zhenchao, an accomplished technician recognized for advancements in container handling technology, was awarded the title of "People's Craftsman." His innovative approaches have significantly improved the efficiency of container operations in Qingdao Port, playing a crucial role in the modernization of China's shipping and logistics sectors.

Zhang Zhuoyuan, an influential economist with outstanding accomplishment in market economy research, was honored with the title of "Outstanding Contributor to Economic Research."

Zhang, 91, has devoted over seven decades to the profound study of market economy, making exceptional theoretical contributions to the reform of the country's economic system.

Zhang Jinfan, a prominent jurist and legal educator on China's legal history, and Huang Danian, a late distinguished strategic scientist and geophysicist, were honored with the title of "People's Educator."

With diligence and enthusiasm, Zhang, who has not yet retired from teaching at the age of 94, continues to contribute to cultivating legal talents for the Republic.

Returning to China in 2009 after studying and working in Britain for 18 years, Huang helped China to stand out as one of the leading global powers in developing deep earth exploration equipment in seven years. He passed away in early 2017 at the age of 58.

Zhang Xielin, a celebrated table tennis player and coach, was awarded the title of "Outstanding Contributor to Sports." Zhang is a witness of the historic "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" that helped thaw relations between China and the United States in the early 1970s.

The title of "People's Scientist" was awarded posthumously to Wang Xiaomo, a renowned radar expert and pioneer in the development of China's early warning aircraft. His groundbreaking contributions to radar technology played a crucial role in enhancing national security and advancing the Republic's defense capabilities. In recognition of his exceptional achievements, Wang was honored the country's top science award in 2013.

Zhao Zhongxian, a physicist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was honored with the title of "People's Scientist" for his outstanding contributions to high-temperature superconductivity research over the past 40 years. He previously received the nation's top science award in 2016.

The title of "People's Health Worker" was conferred on Lu Shengmei, a doctor with a longstanding commitment to improving healthcare in less-developed regions, especially in promoting safer childbirth practices and reducing infant mortality. Even after retiring from a local hospital in a county in northwest China in 1999, Lu has volunteered to provide medical service to local people free of charge to this day.

Recipient of Medal of Republic vows to devote everything to country, people

2024-09-29 17:33 Last Updated At：18:37

Huang Zongde, a Chinese war veteran and one of the four recipients of the Medal of the Republic, paid tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives, and expressed the strong will to devote everything to the country and the people.

Huang made the remarks after receiving the award from Chinese President Xi Jinping at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday morning.

Huang, 93, joined the revolution at the age of 17. He fought bravely to secure victories in many military campaigns spanning from the War of Liberation to the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, rendering meritorious service on numerous occasions.

In his speech, Huang expressed his gratitude to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and to the vast Chinese people, vowing to devote everything to the country.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping personally awarded me the Medal of the Republic, which represents the highest honor of the country. This honor is not just for me, but for every member of the people's army. Please allow me to represent the 14 comrades who received the national honor today to thank the Party and the country for their affirmation and encouragement, and thank the people across the country for their support and trust," said Huang.

"I was born in the old society, when the country suffered, and the nation was in danger. Under the guidance of the Party, countless passionate young people like me actively joined the army. We fought bravely against the enemy and swore to defend our country to the death. This was the mission and responsibility of our generation, and it was also the original aspiration and duty of every Chinese, every Communist Party member, and every revolutionary fighter. In particular, there are thousands of heroes who sacrificed their precious lives for national independence and prosperity. They are true heroes, and the lofty honor today also belongs to them," said the veteran.

"The people's army was built by the Party, and is loyal to the Party. Without the CPC, the country and the people, we would have nothing. I have witnessed the growth of the people's army in the test of blood and fire, and witnessed the Republic's rise from poverty and backwardness to prosperity and strength. I look forward to the bright prospects of comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation with Chinese modernization. I feel extremely proud to have experienced this great journey and participated in this great cause. On the new journey, as long as the Party and the people need it, we will unswervingly dedicate everything we have and resolutely accomplish the tasks assigned by the Party and the people. Finally, I sincerely wish the great motherland prosperity, the great people happiness and well-being, and the heroic people's army to continue to achieve new and greater victories," Huang said.

Xi signed a presidential order on Sept 13 to award national medals and national honorary titles to 15 individuals on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, which falls on Oct 1.

Following the presidential decree, Wang Yongzhi, a late missile and rocket expert and pioneer of China's manned space program; Wang Zhenyi, a medical scientist known for his breakthroughs in leukemia treatment; Li Zhensheng, an agricultural scientist specialized in wheat breeding; and Huang, were awarded the Medal of the Republic.