Xi presents medals to role models in China's COVID-19 fight

A 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, capital of China, Sept 8, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- China held a meeting on Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commend role models in the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Pior to the meeting, Chinese leaders led by Xi Jinping met with role models in the fight and had a group photo with them.

After the meeting began, participants observed a moment of silence for every life lost due to COVID-19.

Then, President Xi Jinping presented medals to recipients of the Medal of the Republic and the national honorary title for their outstanding contributions to the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Zhong Nanshan, recipient of the Medal of the Republic, arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 8, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Medal of the Republic was conferred on renowned respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan.

The national honorary title, "the People's Hero," was conferred on 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, and Chen Wei, a military medical scientist who made major achievements in COVID-19-related basic research and development of vaccine and protective medicine.

In addition, 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.