Xi awards national medals, honorary titles

President Xi Jinping addressed a ceremony held yesterday morning to award the highest State honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Xi Jinping (C) walks into 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 yesterday morning. Photos by Xinhua

Before his speech, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and medals of national honorary titles at the Great Hall of the People.

Four people were awarded the Medal of the Republic, which is conferred on prominent figures who have made great contributions and achievements to the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics and in defending the State.

(Clockwise from left) Recipients of the Medal of the Republic: war veteran Huang Zongde, missile and rock expert Wang Yongzhi, medical scientist Wang Zhenyi and wheat breeding expert Li Zhensheng. 

Wang Yongzhi, a missile and rock expert and a pioneer of China's manned space program, was honored posthumously, while the three others are Wang Zhenyi, a medical scientist known for breakthroughs in leukemia treatment, wheat breeding and agricultural strategy expert Li Zhensheng, and war veteran Huang Zongde.

Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, was awarded a Friendship Medal.

Dilma Rousseff delivers a speech as she receives the Friendship Medal at the award ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday morning.

Ten figures were awarded national honorary titles, which are conferred on those who have greatly contributed to — and achieved success in — various areas, including science and technology, education, health and economic research.

They include the late renowned radar expert Wang Xiaomo, prominent jurist Zhang Jinfan and the late distinguished geophysicist Huang Danian.

Recipients of national honorary titles aboard a motorcade are about to arrive at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi extended warm congratulations and high respects to recipients of China's highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Two miracles in 75 years

In his speech Xi said that over the past 75 years the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in creating the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

Xi hailed the earthshaking changes that have taken place in China and said national rejuvenation is now on an irreversible historical course.

Form a mighty force to build a strong China

Xi called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty 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, 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.

Great times call for heroes 

Xi said great times call for heroes and foster heroes.

A galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting prosperity of the Party and the people's cause, Xi said.

International friends

The Chinese people will never forget international friends who have made prominent contributions to China's development and the friendship between Chinese and foreign peoples, Xi said.

Xi lauded Dilma Rousseff, recipient of the Friendship Medal, as an outstanding representative of China's old friends and good friends who have shared the same aspirations and stood together with the Chinese people over the past 75 years.

China's commitment  

Xi said Chinese people stand ready to work together with people of various countries to safeguard world peace and boost common development. He called for joint efforts to build a human community with a shared future and create an even brighter future for humanity. (Xinhua)