A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) paid visits to Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain from September 18 to 26 to boost exchanges and cooperation between China and the three Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
The delegation was led by Li Mingxiang, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
During its stay in the three countries, the CPC delegation held meetings respectively with local government officials, members of friendship associations, and scholars of think tanks.
The Qatari, Kuwaiti and Bahraini sides all expressed readiness to deepen strategic communication and push forward their respective ties with China.
CPC delegation visits Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain
The honorees who received national medals and honorary titles from Chinese President Xi Jinping sang the song "Ode to the Motherland" on Saturday, one day ahead the grand awarding ceremony, paying tribute to the country.
The song "Ode to the Motherland" is a patriotic song written and composed during the period immediately after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and has been performed on many important and grand occasions.
When talking about the popular song, the honorees shared their feelings and stories.
"In 1951, a group of postgraduates and teacher were sent to northwest China for land reform. I knew and learned this song there at that time. The song 'Ode to the Motherland' is heroic, and your mood can also be heroic and excited when you hear it," said Zhang Jinfan, honoree of honorary titles "People's Educator", a prominent jurist and legal educator on China's legal history.
"Every time I sing the lyrics 'the vast and beautiful land is our dear hometown', it reminds me that the Yellow River has been passing our vast and beautiful land in Shaanxi. It carries the glorious history of the Chinese nation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and also carries the prosperity of our motherland," said Lu Shengmei, honoree of honorary title "People's Health Worker", a doctor with a longstanding commitment to improving healthcare in less-developed regions, especially in promoting safer childbirth practices and reducing infant mortality.
"I will not forget that it is my motherland who raised me up. Although I am old now, I will continue to contribute to my country and do whatever I can," said Tian Hua, whose portrayal of iconic female characters in early Chinese cinema has left a lasting impact on the industry, and she is the honoree of honorary title "People's Artist."
"I wish our motherland prosperity," said Zhang Xielin, a celebrated table tennis player and coach in China, and also a witness of the historic "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" that helped thaw relations between China and the United States in the early 1970s, and he is the honoree of honorary title "Outstanding Contributor to Sports."
The award ceremony presenting the highest state honors to 15 distinguished individuals was held in Beijing on Sunday morning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The awardees received the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and honorary titles from President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
National medal, honorary title honorees sing patriotic song to pay tribute to motherland
