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Anniversary accolades
By Yuan Yuan  ·  2024-10-17  ·   Source: NO.42 OCTOBER 17, 2024
President Xi Jinping enters the venue of the presentation ceremony of the national medals and honorary titles of the People's Republic of China with the recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 29 (XINHUA)

China honored 15 distinguished individuals with the highest state recognition at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 29, two days before the People's Republic of China celebrated its 75th anniversary.

The accolades were distributed across several categories, with four eminent figures, namely, the late missile and rocket expert Wang Yongzhi, medical scientist Wang Zhenyi, wheat-breeding expert Li Zhensheng and war veteran Huang Zongde, receiving the Medals of the Republic. Ten other luminaries were granted national honorary titles for their exemplary contributions to their respective fields. Among the recipients were Bayika Kalidibek, a dedicated border patrolman, Xu Zhenchao, a skilled technician, and Tian Hua, an acclaimed actress. A Friendship Medal, China's highest state honor for foreigners, was also awarded.

President Xi Jinping presented the awards and delivered a speech at the ceremony. Xi said that the country is now in a pivotal period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

"All Party members and people of all ethnic groups should take heroes and role models as examples, unite and strive forward to form a mighty force to build a strong China," Xi stated.

Predominantly in their 80s and 90s, the recipients represent a generation of role models, whose lifetime of work and dedication continue to inspire the nation.

Lu Shengmei, a recipient of the national honorary title of People's Health Worker, is a devoted medical practitioner who made the altruistic decision to leave her life and career in Beijing to serve in a county in Shaanxi Province. For over five decades, she provided indispensable medical services to local residents.

Even after retiring in 1999, her dedication did not wane. She continued to treat patients free of charge three times a week until she reached the age of 75 in 2019. Her unwavering commitment to the medical profession and passion for serving the community exemplify her remarkable character and dedication.

Li, aged 96 and a laureate of the Medal of the Republic, is an accomplished wheat geneticist. With his pioneering work, he has contributed considerably to enhancing food security and agricultural productivity.

During the ceremony, Huang, the revered veteran of China's revolutionary wars, was assisted from his wheelchair to address the audience from the podium. His words resonated deeply as he paid tribute to the unsung heroes of the nation. "There are countless heroes who sacrificed their precious lives for national independence, people's liberation and the prosperity of the country. They are the true heroes. Today, this noble honor also belongs to them," he said.

Dilma Rousseff, current President of the New Development Bank and former President of Brazil, was honored with the Friendship Medal. In her address, she said the medal filled her with a sense of immense honor and reinforced her commitment to fostering stronger, mutually beneficial cooperation between Brazil and China.

President Xi emphasized the enduring gratitude of the Chinese people toward international friends who have significantly contributed to China's development and the strengthening of ties between Chinese and foreign communities.

These prestigious honors were first introduced in 2019 to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. During that inaugural event, 42 individuals were recognized with the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal and national honorary titles.

 

(Photos by Xinhua News Agency)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

Comments to yuanyuan@cicgamericas.com

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