China confers highest national honors on outstanding individuals ahead of National Day

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 (CPC) 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

China confers highest national honors on outstanding individuals ahead of National Day

China confers highest national honors on outstanding individuals ahead of National Day

China confers highest national honors on outstanding individuals ahead of National Day

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday presented national medals and honorary titles to the recipients ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, conferred the highest national honors at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

As the ceremony started, senior official Cai Qi read out a presidential order signed by Xi on the awards.

Four people were awarded the Medal of the Republic.

Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, received the Friendship Medal. Ten people were awarded national honorary titles.

"The medal was awarded to me, and I felt that the Party's concern for me and its evaluation were perhaps too high. I've never thought of myself as a hero in war," Huang said.

"I didn't think about being rewarded during the war. I want to be one of the frontliners because, as a Party member, I need to make efforts in critical moments," he said.

Zhang Xielin, a celebrated table tennis player and coach, was awarded the title of Outstanding Contributor to Sports.

"This great honor is an encouragement and support from our nation to the sports community. To be honest, I'm just a representative of our sports circles; this honor belongs to the whole community," said Zhang.

"President Xi supports sports. I believe our sports are getting better and better, especially with the current emphasis on national fitness. It's a success when we can see more people walking in parks, playing in indoor stadiums, and enjoying outdoor activities," he said.

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. "I made a commitment to go to the hardest places when I graduated from school. We shall never quit and always be prepared to sacrifice for the Party and the people," said Lu.

"My phone number is known by many, and I keep my phone on around the clock for volunteer clinics. I must answer calls, especially at night when children are prone to serious illnesses. At that time, I was the only clinician who graduated from the department of pediatrics in the twelve counties of the Yulin City. I remember one instance when I hesitated to speak publicly, feeling it was like a potter praising his pot. I said I could make it public since I work for the Party," she said.

The title of People's Scientist was conferred on Zhao Zhongxian, a well-known scientist in high-temperature superconductivity research.

"I am an ordinary person. In early 1974, I was sent to the UK to study superconductivity, where I realized the huge gap between us. Upon returning to China, I dedicated myself to exploring superconductivity, particularly high-temperature superconductivity, with determination. Though I lacked material resources, I was spiritually rich. Superconductivity itself is not a material with a high output value in China. It is a strategic material and technology. Considering this, it is very important to the country, to science, to the country, and to the people. In our pursuit of scientific truth, we should strive to benefit our country and its citizens," said Zhao.

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.

"When we arrived at the China University of Political Science and Law, there was only one building for us, and some of us lived in buildings converted from a pig farm outside the school. Under those conditions, we were urged to set a good example as the first cohort of postgraduate students and to maintain the essential mindset of education. We should not be picky about our environment. Those who are picky will never excel in their studies. I teach my students that whether in study or work, they should not be fastidious about their surroundings. It's a matter of survival of the fittest; those who endure will thrive. The key is to work hard and focus, which is paramount," said Zhang.

Xu Zhenchao, an accomplished technician recognized for advancements in container handling technology, was awarded the title of People's Craftsman.

"I know that knowledge can change one's identity. At that time, I hadn't even graduated from middle school and lacked knowledge and professional skills. However, I have an inquisitive mind and am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals, which is my guiding principle. We are fortunate to be part of a new era characterized by China's high-quality development. The times have pushed us to learn and urged us to run faster. Ultimately, it is the era that has shaped me, my colleagues, and the workers as a whole. Therefore, receiving this significant national honor feels like the greatest encouragement and inspiration for our worker community," said Xu.

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.

"My life has been very meaningful. I have experienced all the joys and sorrows, the sweet and the sour; during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, I was only 12 and couldn't walk any further. I chose to crawl, holding onto the belts of those older than me, and crawled 50 kilometers one night. This is how I got through it. Therefore, I am an actor with authentic experiences, and I still wear the type-21 combat uniform of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. My homeland, the Party, and the PLA have changed my life, and so have the people. I belong to my country," said Tian.

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.

"If there were no boundary monuments, there would be no flocks and herds. My son will be there if I fall, and my descendants will be there too. We have a responsibility to guard every boundary monument, every inch of land, and every stream. We must safeguard our territory," said Bayika.

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