Recipients of China’s Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and other honorary titles expressed their gratitude to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country after receiving the state honors at a high-profile ceremony ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The honorees received their recognition at the awards ceremony presenting the highest state honors to 15 distinguished individuals in Beijing on Sunday, two days ahead of China's National Day.
The award ceremony commenced with the national anthem of the PRC at the Great Hall of the People.
The awardees received their medals 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.
In interviews with China Media Group, the awardees said they were very proud to receive the medals and awards representing the highest national honors. They said that it was the CPC that led the people to create miracles over the past 75 years, which led to earth-shaking changes in the motherland and provided a broad stage for everyone to show their brilliance in life.
Huang Zongde, who was awarded the Medals of the Republic, is a 93-year-old legendary combat hero, who joined the revolution at the age of 17. He participated in many fierce battles, including the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).
"It is worth sacrificing for the country and the people. We must closely follow the Party Central Committee and the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, build the country well, and make it prosperous and strong. When we become strong, no one will dare to bully us," said the veteran.
Bayika Kalidibek, a veteran border patrolman from the Tajik ethnic group in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was awarded the title of "People's Guard." Since he turned 20 in 1972 and took over the border patrol guide service from his father, Bayika has performed more than 700 border patrols, which may last several days or weeks.
"The General Secretary met with us and said, ‘I know you three generations have been doing this for more than 70 years. This is not an easy thing. You are heroes and we should learn from you.’ I cried, as I was so excited. I am a herdsman of the Chinese nation. Herdsmen also have the obligation to watch over the border. After I retire, my son takes over the duty, and his son after that. We will do this generation after generation," said Kalidibek.
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 demonstrated her exceptional talent and reflected the evolving role of women in society.
"I was so moved that I shed tears. I felt very happy. With the leadership of Chairman Xi, our motherland will be stronger and greater, and the people's life will be happier. I will always listen to the Party and serve the people for my whole life," Tian said.
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.
"When the General Secretary personally put the medal of honor on me, I was so excited that I couldn't express it in words. The General Secretary smiled and told me that in our country, it is hard work that leads to great achievements. I think this is the most important advice to us workers. We must cherish this era, treat work as mastering our craft, and keep our faith in the motherland and in working hard," Xu said.
Zhang Zhuoyuan, an influential economist who has made significant contributions to market economy research, was honored with the title of "Outstanding Contributor to Economic Research." The 91-year-old has devoted over seven decades to the profound study of the market economy, making exceptional theoretical contributions to the reform of the country's economic system.
"The two great miracles of the New China over the past 75 years are the rapid economic development and the long-term social stability. These are truly earth-shaking changes. This speed (of development) could only be achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. We could say that such an achievement belongs to the most glorious pages of world history. Therefore, every person with a sense of duty to his country should keep the fate and future of the country and nation in mind, work hard, and better contribute their wisdom and strength," Zhang said.
Xi said at the awarding ceremony that the Chinese people will never forget those international friends who have made outstanding contributions to China's development and to enhancing the friendship between the Chinese people and the people of other countries.
Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank (NDB) and former Brazilian president, was awarded China's Friendship Medal.
"I am very proud to receive the Friendship Medal because I believe that the community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping is an initiative to promote international cooperation, and it is undoubtedly one of the most noble initiatives and it becomes a reality. And in that sense, receiving the Friendship Medal also represents all the efforts of cooperation between Brazil and China," she said.
The recipients of the honorary titles also expressed their hope to work together with people across China, especially the younger generation, to write a new and more splendid chapter for China.
Zhao Zhongxian, a physicist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was awarded the title of "People's Scientist" for his outstanding contributions to high-temperature superconductivity research over the past 40 years. He also received the nation's top science award in 2016.
"The General Secretary said that all walks of life should love what they do, do it to the utmost, and strive for excellence. No matter what bottlenecks or key problems you encounter in each line of work, you should work hard to overcome them. We should make hard-working a habit," Zhao said.
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."
"This award is not just for me personally, but an encouragement to all teachers. We educators have an even greater responsibility today, as we must not only teach our students talents, knowledge, and understanding, but also make them understand that everything they do must serve the country. The fate of the country is in line with the fate of the individual," Zhang said.
The honorary 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.
"Standing in front of President Xi, I was thinking this is the man who leads our Chinese nation to rejuvenation and building a strong country. I have great respect for him. Everyone should have the ambition to make our country strong, cultivate the skills to make our country strong, and make due contributions to making our country strong. This is an important hope and expectation for our people across the country, so that everyone can do extraordinary deeds on ordinary job posts," Lu said.
Zhang Xielin, a celebrated table tennis player and coach, was awarded the title of "Outstanding Contributor to Sports." Zhang was a part of the historic "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" that helped thaw relations between China and the United States in the early 1970s.
"I would like to thank the General Secretary for his care and support for our national sporting endeavors. It is a great encouragement to us. We should study and train hard, strive for excellence, keep the motherland in mind and look outward to the world. Opportunities of fight and shine come but a few times in our life. We have to keep working hard, pass on the cause from generation to generation, and win new glory for the country," he said.
Recipients of China's highest state honors express appreciations
