Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank (NDB) and former president of Brazil, expressed her commitment to deepening the ties and cooperation between China and Brazil after being honored with the Friendship Medal in Beijing on Sunday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the Friendship Medal to Rousseff at a ceremony held to award the highest state honors to 15 distinguished individuals.
The gold and blue Friendship Medals are China's highest state honors for foreigners, awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
In her speech after receiving the medal, Rousseff expressed gratitude for the honor and praised China's remarkable development achievements over the past four decades.
"Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, Your Excellencies members of the Government of the People's Republic of China, distinguished guests, and dear friends, I am deeply honored that the government of the People's Republic of China awarded me the Friendship Medal. This medal confirms the solid ties of friendly cooperation between our two countries and two peoples. I am extremely grateful for the trust and friendship offered by the Chinese government. I would like to express my gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for granting me this honor," she said.
"Over more than 40 years, China has made remarkable development achievements. Accelerated economic transformations, technological innovation and extraordinary social development have enabled China to rise into a world power and become a beacon of hope to bring enlightenment to the world. China's persistence on reform and opening up has not only lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, but also made outstanding contribution to world economic growth and global stability," said Rousseff.
Rousseff praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's leadership. She commended his vision for a shared future for mankind, highlighting his efforts in addressing global challenges like climate change, promoting inclusive development, and fostering international cooperation through initiatives such as the Belt and Road.
"I would like to extend my warm congratulations to President Xi Jinping. Your proposal for a shared future for mankind and the promotion of common prosperity is undoubtedly one of the noblest goals for people across all continents and is filled with inspiration. President Xi, your unremitting efforts in addressing major global challenges such as climate change, promoting inclusive development, and maintaining peace and security demonstrate your profound insight as a great statesman into the future. The Belt and Road Initiative exemplifies bold progress, opening new pathways for mutually beneficial international cooperation," she said.
"The three global initiatives - namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative - underscore China's commitment to addressing international issues in a responsible and constructive manner. In a world with increasing fragmentation and confrontation, it is truly encouraging to witness how, under your leadership, President Xi Jinping, China is gradually establishing a more united and harmonious international political order," she said.
Rousseff added that, based on her experience as the former president of Brazil, she considers President Xi a champion of international cooperation and multilateralism, emphasizing his critical role in advancing global governance and recalling their joint announcement of the New Development Bank in 2014.
"As the former President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, I have had the privilege of working with many global leaders. I think President Xi Jinping is a true champion in promoting international cooperation and a strong defender of multilateralism. Your leadership is crucial to advancing global governance, addressing global challenges and promoting the formation of a more equitable and more just international order. President Xi Jinping, I am particularly proud that we jointly announced the establishment of the New Development Bank in Brazil in 2014 during the meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)," said the NDB president.
"After receiving the Friendship Medal, I reiterate that I will continue to make unremitting efforts to strengthen China-Brazil cooperation based on mutual benefits. China and Brazil are friends and partners and share common interests in promoting world peace, stability and prosperity. I will do my best to promote the development of bilateral ties and bolster cooperation between the two countries in the fields of development, trade, investment, education, culture and other fields," she said.
"Finally, I would like to once again express my deep gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government. This medal brings me immense honor. I take great pride in being a part of this special relationship and hope to continue to strengthen our collaboration in the future," Rousseff said.
Former Brazilian president vows to further enhance bilateral ties with China
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.
Greatness emerges from everyday heroes: celebrating ordinary individuals who inspire
