A Commendation Conference for National Response to COVID-19 was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of September 8. General Secretary of the Central Communist Party, Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President Xi Jinping conferred national medals and national honors and made important remarks commending outstanding individuals and the spirits they demonstrated during the fight against COVID-19. Honorary doctors of Macau University of Science and Technology, Academician Zhong Nanshan and Academician Zhang Boli were awarded “Medal of the Republic” and the national honorary title of “People’s Hero”, respectively.
Commendation Conference for National Response to COVID-19 was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing
The awards presentation ceremony was held to honor role models who have made significant contributions to the national fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, commending them for their high qualities such as loyalty, commitment and contribution. In accordance with the resolutions of the 21st meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National Peoples’ Congress, it was decided to confer Medal of the Republic to one person and the national honorary title of “People’s Hero” to three. At the awards ceremony, also commended and given medals and honors were a number of other outstanding individuals, collectives, party members, and party organizations.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (right) conferred Medal of the Republic to Zhong Nanshan
Academician Zhong Nanshan is a renowned leading expert in the field of respiratory diseases. He is widely credited with being highly professional in medical practices, daring in words and selfless in fulfilling commitments. He is credited for having put forth policies and measures for prevention and control of COVID-19, which have saved numerous lives. He’s made significant contributions in the national fight against SARS and COVID-19.
General Secretary Xi Jinping conferred the national honorary title of “People’s Hero” upon Zhang Boli
People’s Hero, Zhang Boli supervised integration of Chinese medicine into the entire course of treatment of COVID-19. The integrated western and Chinese medicine therapy, which he supervised and formulated, has become a highlight of the famous Chinese COVID-19 therapies. This has made significant contributions to development, promotion and innovation of Chinese medicine.
National medals and honors constitute a major part of the national medal and honor system of China. They represent some of the highest national honors. Conferring national honors not only marks high commendation on the outstanding achievements, spirits and qualities of the individual recipients, but also calls for the entire society to respect and look up to heroes and role models.
Academician Zhong Nanshan was awarded Doctor of Medicine honoris causa of Macau University of Science and Technology in 2010, and Academician Zhang Boli was awarded Doctor of Science honoris causa of Macau University of Science and Technology in 2014. Their merits and admirable qualities are role models which the university teachers and students look up to and which encourage everyone to strive toward greatness, preserve despite adversities, and contribute one’s own forces for betterment of Macao, the Chinese nation and mankind.
Academician Zhong Nanshan as speaker of the Science and Technology Great Masters Lecture Series of M.U.S.T.
Academician Zhang Boli interacting with teachers and students of M.U.S.T.
(Photo credits for some pictures in the text: CCTV)
