Foreign ministers from multiple countries condemned Israel's crimes and called on the international community to promptly recognize the State of Palestine at the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday.
Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Indonesia condemned Israel's military attacks in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.
They also called on the international community to promptly recognize the State of Palestine, halt Israel's atrocities, and promote the implementation of the two-state solution to settle the Palestinian question fully and properly through political means at an early date.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said that it is necessary to preserve the stability in Lebanon and to respect its sovereignty.
"The prevalence of impunity, the lack of respect of legal obligations, is encouraging Israel to continue its escalation. This escalation will have no positive impact on any party at all. It also risks having negative repercussions for the entire region. That's why we reaffirm the fact that it is necessary to preserve the stability in Lebanon and to respect its sovereignty in line with international law and in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions," he said.
"We strongly condemn Israel's actions that escalate the situation. It is very dangerous and without limits. It is pushing the region to the brink of the abyss. We firmly oppose and strongly condemn Israel's current aggression against Lebanon, which is a flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, national reunification, and political independence," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty.
"Inaction means complicity," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Saturday, urging the world body to fulfill its obligations in dealing with the Middle East conflict.
Indonesia cannot "sit back and relax" in the face of the injustice committed against the people of Palestine, said Marsudi.
Underscoring the need to pressure Israel toward a political solution, she said that the Security Council must act to immediately stop Israel from blatantly violating international law.
"Indonesia cannot, I repeat, cannot sit back and relax, seeing the injustice that continues to be committed against the people of Palestine. Recognizing the State of Palestine is the least that we can do now to give Palestinians equal footing on the world stage and to exert pressure to Israel to stop their atrocities. Therefore, I urge countries that have yet to recognize the State of Palestine to do so now," she said.
FMs of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia call on int'l community to recognize State of Palestine at UNGA
A grand award ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday morning to present China's highest national honors to 15 distinguished individuals, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) that falls on Oct 1.
President Xi Jinping presented the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and national honorary titles to the recipients.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the ceremony.
Other Party and state leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Cai Qi.
At approximately 09:00, the recipients of national medals and honorary titles headed for the Great Hall of the People for the ceremony escorted by a motorcade.
Inside the Great Hall of the People, the atmosphere was solemn and warm, with a large red backdrop displaying the patterns of medals of the three types.
The event began at 10:00, with a military band playing trumpets and the national anthem.
Cai read out the presidential decree adopted by the National People's Congress Standing Committee and signed by Xi earlier this month.
According to the presidential decree, the Medals of the Republic were awarded to four individuals who have made great contributions to the construction and development of the PRC.
Wang Yongzhi, a missile and rocket expert and pioneer of China's manned space program, was honored posthumously.
The other three honorees are Wang Zhenyi, a medical scientist known for breakthroughs in leukemia treatment; Li Zhensheng, an expert in wheat breeding; and Huang Zongde, a war veteran.
Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, was awarded the Friendship Medal.
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.
Xi assisted the recipients in donning the medals and greeted each of them with a handshake.
Addressing the event, Xi extended warm congratulations and high respect to the honorees on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the National People's Congress, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.
Over the past 75 years, the CPC has led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in creating the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. Earthshaking changes have taken place in China, and national rejuvenation is now on an irreversible historical course, according to Xi.
In this magnificent course of development, large numbers of heroes and role models have emerged on all fronts. The people honored at the ceremony are outstanding representatives of them, Xi said.
Their advanced deeds and outstanding contributions will forever be recorded in the history of the country, and their excellent characters such as loyalty, perseverance and simplicity are worthy of emulating by the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in China, Xi added.
China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.
Xi emphasized the need to bear in mind the aspirations, hone the skills, and make contributions to building a strong China.
He encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts.
He also urged them to make contributions to resolving challenges to development and reform, and safeguarding social harmony and stability.
Noting that great times call for heroes and foster heroes, Xi said that a galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting prosperity and success of the Party and the people's cause.
Party committees and governments at all levels should care about heroes and role models, and encourage the whole society to respect heroes, learn from them, and strive to become heroes, according to Xi.
He expressed the hope that the comrades who have been awarded will cherish their honors, make persistent efforts, and strive for greater glory.
There are many old and good friends who have shared the same aspirations and stood with the Chinese people through thick and thin over the past 75 years, Xi said, hailing Rousseff as an outstanding representative of them.
The Chinese people will never forget those international friends who have made prominent contributions to China's development and to enhancing friendship between the Chinese people and the people all over the world, Xi said.
The Chinese people are willing to work together with people from all countries to maintain world peace, promote common development, and push for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, so as to create an even brighter future for all, he added.
A new picture requires us to paint together, and a new history needs us to create in common efforts, Xi said.
Xi also called on everyone to set sights on their goals, and work together with determination and pioneering spirit to jointly compose a more splendid and vibrant new chapter for the country.
At the ceremony, recipient of the Medal of the Republic Huang Zongde and recipient of the Friendship Medal Rousseff gave their speeches respectively.
After the ceremony, Xi and other leaders joined the awardees for group photos.
Three types of awards, the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal and the national honorary titles, were awarded at the ceremony.
The Medals of the Republic were awarded to four individuals who have made great contributions to the construction and development of the PRC.
The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreign nationals, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to supporting China's socialist modernization, promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries and safeguarding world peace.
The national honorary titles were granted to the honorees who have made outstanding contributions in various fields and sectors of the country.
Wang Xiaomo, a late renowned radar expert and a pioneer in China's early warning aircraft development, and Zhao Zhongxian, a well-known scientist in high-temperature superconductivity research, were honored with the title of "People's Scientist."
Bayika Kalidibek, a veteran border patrolman of the Tajik ethnic group in northwest China's Xinjiang, was honored with the title of "People's Guard."
The title of "People's Artist" was conferred to actress Tian Hua, whose portrayal of iconic female characters in early Chinese cinema has left a lasting impact on the industry.
Xu Zhenchao, an accomplished technician recognized for advancements in container handling technology, was awarded the title of "People's Craftsman."
Zhang Jinfan, a prominent jurist and legal educator on China's legal history, and Huang Danian, a late distinguished strategic scientist and geophysicist, were granted the title of "People's Educator."
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.
Zhang Zhuoyuan, an influential economist with significant contributions to market economy research, was honored with the title of "Outstanding Contributor to Economic Research."
Zhang Xielin, a celebrated table tennis player and coach, was awarded the title of "Outstanding Contributor to Sports."
China confers highest national honors on outstanding individuals ahead of National Day
