PRESIDENT Xi Jinping yesterday hailed China’s great spirit in battling the COVID-19 epidemic as the country’s model virus fighters were accorded grand State honors.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that over the past eight-plus months, China has fought a fierce war against the epidemic and has passed the extraordinary test of history.

He called for transforming the virus-fighting spirit into tremendous strength to build a modern socialist country and achieve national rejuvenation.

Xi made the comments during a meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that was attended by about 3,000 people.

He presented the Medal of the Republic to the 84-year-old renowned respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan.

The national honorary title, “the People’s Hero,” was conferred on three other outstanding medical professionals. They were  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 vaccines and protective medicines.

An official statement described Zhong as a leading expert in China’s respiratory disease research and called him a “brave, outspoken and responsible doctor” who proposed epidemic prevention and control measures that saved numerous lives and made a great contribution to fighting both SARS and COVID-19.

Speaking at the event, Zhong pledged to cooperate with colleagues around the country and the world to continue working on tracing virus sources, blocking transmission routes, and developing rapid diagnosis, medicines and vaccines.

Speaking of the anti-epidemic battle, Xi said China has achieved another heroic feat in humankind’s fight against disease by securing major strategic achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

The country managed to contain the rapid spread of the virus in just over a month. In about two months, the daily increase in domestic coronavirus cases fell to single digits. Meanwhile, a decisive victory was secured in once the hardest-hit Chinese city of Wuhan in just about three months. Additionally, the country has effectively contained sporadic outbreaks.

Xi said the CPC Central Committee had adopted “extraordinary measures” to tackle the COVID-19 epidemic, and had insisted on making people’s lives and health the first priority.

Through a united will, the Chinese people put up a strong defense to contain the epidemic, Xi noted.

The Chinese mainland reported only 10 new infections Monday, all imported, the National Health Commission said yesterday.

China has become the first major economy to return to growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, and has taken the lead in the world in both epidemic control and economic recovery, Xi said.

China is also leading global efforts on vaccine research. The vaccine developed by researchers led by national honorary title recipient Chen Wei was the first in the world to enter phase-two clinical trials April 12.

Xi summarized the features of China’s spirit in combating the COVID-19 epidemic as —putting people’s lives first, nationwide solidarity, sacrifice, respecting science and a sense of mission for humanity.

Summarizing the experience accumulated and lessons learned, Xi emphasized the strong leadership of the Party, the unyielding will of the Chinese people, the strengths of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, among others.

Xi called for consistent efforts without loosening regular anti-epidemic response measures in order to clinch a “full victory” against the disease. He also called for exercising caution against the spread of the virus overseas and risks of sporadic outbreaks at home. 

(Xinhua)