China is honoring its national heroes and international friends with its highest state awards ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1.
Honoring National Heroes
At a solemn ceremony held on Sunday in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, President Xi Jinping conferred the Medal of the Republic to four distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to the nation.
Among the honorees is Huang Zongde, a 93-year-old veteran who enlisted in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army at the age of 17. His nearly four-decade military career was marked by bravery and devotion, earning him numerous awards and honors.
Wang Yongzhi, a missile and rocket expert and a pioneer of China’s manned space program, was honored posthumously. Medical scientist Wang Zhenyi, known for breakthroughs in leukemia treatment, and Li Zhensheng, an expert in wheat breeding, also received the prestigious medal.
In addition to the Medal of the Republic recipients, ten individuals were granted national honorary titles. These included scientists, a border patrol officer, an artist, a craftsman, educators, a health worker, an economist, and an athlete, all recognized for their significant achievements in their respective fields.
President Xi’s Call to Action
During the ceremony, President Xi Jinping, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged the nation to learn from these heroes and role models. He emphasized the importance of forming a powerful force to build a strong China.
“China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization,” he stated.
President Xi encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements in their everyday roles, contribute to overcoming development and reform challenges, and promote social harmony and stability.
Recognizing International Friendship
As part of its highest state honor for foreigners, China awarded the Friendship Medal to Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former president of Brazil. The award acknowledges her commitment to fostering friendship between China and Brazil, advancing relations between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, and promoting cooperation among BRICS countries.
Accepting the honor, Rousseff highlighted the strong bonds between Brazil and China and pledged to continue her efforts to enhance the friendship. She praised China’s achievements over the decades, including economic transformation, technological innovation, and remarkable social development, noting that China has become a beacon and source of inspiration for the world.
President Xi lauded Rousseff as an outstanding representative of China’s international friends who have stood alongside the Chinese people over the past 75 years. He affirmed that China will always remember such friends.
“The Chinese people are ready to join hands with people from all over the world to safeguard world peace, promote common development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind to create a better future for humanity,” President Xi declared.
Reference(s):
China honors individuals with highest awards ahead of National Day
cgtn.com
