Xi: Forge ahead to build strong nation

President Xi Jinping and recipients of national medals and national honorary titles arrive at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for an award ceremony on Sunday. (YAN YAN / XINHUA)

President Xi Jinping led a grand tribute to heroes and role models in a medal presentation ceremony on Sunday, calling on the whole country to look to the heroes and forge ahead in unity to build a strong nation.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the presentation to the recipients of national medals as well as to the recipients of national honorary titles, the nation's highest honors.

The ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday, two days before the People's Republic of China celebrates on Tuesday the 75th anniversary of its founding.

"A great era calls for heroes and gives rise to heroes. When heroes emerge in large numbers, the Party and the people's cause will thrive and endure," he told an audience of about 1,000 people, including previous recipients of national honors, senior officials, college students, and people serving in the military.

Among those honored on Sunday were Huang Zongde, a recipient of the Medal of the Republic and a veteran of China's revolutionary wars, and Dilma Rousseff, the recipient of the Friendship Medal and former president of Brazil.

In his speech, Xi said that the CPC has united and led people from all ethnic groups to achieve two remarkable milestones — rapid economic development and long-term social stability — over the past 75 years.

"This transformation has fundamentally reshaped our great nation, placing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on an irreversible historical trajectory," he said.

The president lauded the heroes whose dedication and perseverance have significantly contributed to these milestones, noting that their stories will be etched in the annals of the PRC's history.

Xi called on the whole nation to harbor aspirations for a strong country, prioritizing national prosperity and the happiness of the people.

"With a patriotic spirit and a commitment to serving the country, we should integrate our individual goals with the larger national mission, realizing personal value and showcasing our lives through dedication to our nation and service to its people."

He encouraged the people to hone their expertise to build up national strength, highlighting the need to acquire new knowledge, master new skills, and develop real competencies in response to the new requirements of the times.

Furthermore, Xi called on the people to boldly contribute to national progress. "With a sense of urgency and a commitment to responsibility, we should pursue excellence and refine our efforts, achieving extraordinary results in ordinary positions."

He stressed the need to keep securing new progress in tackling developmental challenges, overcoming reform hurdles, and maintaining social harmony and stability.

He also lauded the steadfast friends of China who have shared weal and woe with the Chinese people over the past 75 years, saying that the Chinese people will never forget those who have made outstanding contributions to China's development and fostered friendships between the Chinese people and their counterparts around the globe.

"We are committed to joining hands with people worldwide to uphold peace, promote mutual development, work toward building a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a better future for all," he emphasized.

Huang, the veteran, who was helped from a wheelchair to speak at the podium on Sunday, could barely conceal his pride in a speech delivered at the ceremony.

"There are countless heroes who sacrificed their precious lives for national independence, people's liberation, and the prosperity of the country. They are the true heroes. Today, this noble honor also belongs to them," he said emotionally.

Wang Meng, one of the most revered literary figures in China and the winner of the People's Artist Medal in 2019, said the conferring of the medals at this critical historic juncture will help boost the nation's morale and enable greater strides in the development of various sectors going forward.