Special meeting commends role models in battling COVID-19
BEIJING – The nation has passed “an extraordinary and historic test” with its handling of the novel coronavirus, President Xi Jinping said yesterday at a triumphant awards ceremony in Beijing for medical professionals decorated with bugle calls and applause.
“We have passed an extraordinary and historic test,” Xi said, praising the country for its “heroic struggle” against the disease.
“We quickly achieved initial success in the people’s war against the novel coronavirus. We are leading the world in economic recovery and in the fight against Covid-19.”
The central government held the ceremony yesterday morning to commend the country’s role models in its fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.
The ceremony at the Great Hall of the People began with a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives during the outbreak.
Some delegates were in tears during a raft of speeches.
Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented medals to recipients of the Medal of the Republic and the national honorary title at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi also delivered a speech at the ceremony, attended by about 3,000 people.
The nation has made major strategic achievements in the battle against COVID-19, demonstrating the notable advantages of the CPC leadership and the country’s socialist system, the great strength of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, the profound heritage of Chinese civilization, and the nation’s sense of responsibility as a major and responsible country, Xi said.
He called for transforming the virus-fighting spirit into tremendous strength to build a modern socialist country and achieve national rejuvenation.
The ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Li Keqiang and attended by senior leaders Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan.
The ceremony started with all participants rising to sing the national anthem. The participants then observed a moment of silence for every life lost due to COVID-19.
Li Zhanshu read a presidential order to confer the Medal of the Republic and the national honorary title on four medical professionals.
Zhong receives highest state honor
Renowned respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan received the Medal of the Republic, the highest state honor. Zhong is the country’s most famous medical expert who emerged as the face of its fight against the contagion.
“We will join hands with the... world’s medical workers to continue the fight in tracing the origins of the virus,” Zhong said.
The national honorary title, “People’s Hero,” was conferred on three other outstanding medical professionals:
– Zhang Boli, a traditional Chinese medicine expert who presided over the research of the COVID-19 treatment scheme combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine;
– Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan’s designated coronavirus-treating Jinyintan Hospital;
– Chen Wei, a military medical scientist who made major achievements in COVID-19-related basic research and development of vaccine and protective medicine.
Wang Huning read decisions to commend outstanding individuals and groups in the COVID-19 fight, as well as outstanding party members and primary-level party organizations across the country.
A total of 1,499 individuals, 500 groups, 186 CPC members and 150 primary-level Party organizations were commended for their roles in fighting the epidemic. Another 14 party members were posthumously awarded.
Speaking of the anti-epidemic battle over the past eight-plus months, Xi said China has achieved another heroic feat in humankind’s fight against disease by achieving major strategic achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.
The CPC Central Committee had adopted extraordinary measures to tackle the extraordinary incident of the COVID-19 epidemic, insisting on making people’s lives and health the first priority, he said.
Putting people’s lives first
Xi went on to summarize the nation’s spirit of combating the COVID-19 epidemic, which features putting people’s lives first, nationwide solidarity, sacrifice, respecting science, and a sense of mission for humanity.
He also summarized the important experience of China’s anti-epidemic fight in six areas.
The strong leadership of the CPC is the most reliable backbone for Chinese people in times of trouble, Xi said.
He said the unyielding will of the Chinese people is the source of power for overcoming all hardships and obstacles on the way forward.
The outstanding advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental guarantee for resisting risks and challenges, and enhancing the capacity of national governance, he said.
Xi said the great struggle against the novel coronavirus has once again proven that strong national strength accumulated since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has laid a solid ground for the country to navigate any “turbulent tide” with composure.
Core socialist values, fine traditional Chinese culture
The battle against COVID-19 has also demonstrated the power of core socialist values and fine traditional Chinese culture, which provide great motivation, and help build consensus and pool resources, he said.
He said the extensive appeal of building a community with a shared future for humanity is the right way for the mankind to overcome common challenges and build a more prosperous and better world.
Chinese people and the Chinese nation will certainly forge ahead on the great journey in the new era, Xi said.
“No individual or force can stop Chinese people’s march toward a better life,” he said.
Before the meeting, state broadcaster CCTV showed a video montage of Wuhan at the peak of the outbreak set to rousing music, including images of medical staff in hazmat suits and crowded hospitals.
According to official numbers there have been 4,634 deaths in the mainland from COVID-19. The authorities have largely contained the outbreak through a string of strict lockdowns and travel restrictions.
In terms of total cases since the outbreak of the disease, as of yesterday the Chinese mainland had 85,144 COVID-19 cases, Hong Kong had 4,896 cases including 99 deaths and Taiwan 495 had cases with 7 deaths, while Macau had 46 cases with no fatalities, according to worldometers.info. – Xinhua, AFP, MPD
Zhong Nanshan (left), the nation’s most famous medical expert, poses with President Xi Jinping during a ceremony to honour role models in the COVID-19 pandemic, after receiving the country’s highest award, the Medal of the Republic, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, poses with four anti-COVID-19 role models after bestowing awards on them: the recipient of the Medal of the Republic Zhong Nanshan (second from right, front), and the recipients of the national honorary title “People’s Hero” Zhang Boli (second from left, front), Zhang Dingyu (first from right, front) and Chen Wei (first from left, front), during a ceremony commending role models in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
A special meeting commending role models in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
