Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded the nation’s highest state honour, the Medal of the Republic, to 93-year-old Huang Zongde during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. Huang, a decorated military veteran who enlisted in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army at the age of 17, was recognised for his nearly four decades of service, bravery, and dedication. His long military career has earned him numerous accolades over the years, but the Medal of the Republic stands as the pinnacle of his achievements.
The ceremony was part of a broader recognition of 15 individuals who were honoured with national medals and honorary titles as China marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic, which falls on 1 October. The awards acknowledge their significant contributions across various fields, from science and medicine to education and defence.
National Heroes and Innovators Recognised
Alongside Huang, three others were conferred with the prestigious Medal of the Republic. The late Wang Yongzhi, a key figure in China’s missile and rocket development and a pioneer of the country’s manned space programme, was honoured posthumously. Wang Zhenyi, a prominent medical scientist celebrated for his breakthroughs in treating leukemia, and Li Zhensheng, an expert in wheat breeding who contributed to China’s agricultural advancements, were also recognised.
In addition to the Medals of the Republic, ten other individuals were granted national honorary titles. These honourees included a variety of professionals who have made lasting contributions to Chinese society, including scientists, educators, an artist, a border patrol officer, a health worker, a skilled craftsman, an economist, and an athlete.
During the ceremony, President Xi Jinping, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged the nation to draw inspiration from these heroes and role models. He called for collective efforts to strengthen China, particularly as the country undergoes a crucial phase in its bid to become a modern socialist state. Xi emphasised the importance of ordinary citizens achieving extraordinary results in their work, encouraging them to contribute to development, reform, and maintaining social stability.
Friendship Medal for Dilma Rousseff
In a separate presentation, the Friendship Medal, China’s highest honour for foreigners, was awarded to Dilma Rousseff, the president of the New Development Bank and former president of Brazil. The award recognises her dedication to fostering closer relations between China and Brazil, as well as her work promoting cooperation between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and within the BRICS group of emerging economies.
Rousseff, accepting the award, said the medal symbolised the enduring ties between Brazil and China, and vowed to continue her efforts to strengthen the relationship. She praised China’s rapid development, particularly in economic transformation, technological innovation, and social progress, hailing it as a source of inspiration for the rest of the world.
President Xi praised Rousseff as a “long-standing friend” of China and expressed gratitude for international partners who have supported China throughout its 75 years of growth. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with other nations to promote peace, development, and a shared future for humanity.
