In this screen grab from CGTN, Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) poses with Medal of the Republic recipient China's top respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan (2nd right), and recipients of medals for the national honorary title, "the People's Hero," to Zhang Boli (2nd left), Zhang Dingyu (1st right) and Chen Wei on Sept 8, 2020 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (PHOTO / CGTN)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday 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.

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

The meeting started with all participants rising to sing the national anthem. The participants then observed a moment of silence for every life lost due to COVID-19.

Renowned respiratory disease expert  Zhong Nanshan received the Medal of the Republic, the highest state honor.

The national honorary title, "the People's Hero," was conferred on three other outstanding medical professionals:

 -- 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;

This represents the full acknowledgement of the healthcare professionals' work by the Party and the state

Zhong Nanshan, recipient of the Medal of the Republic

-- Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan's designated coronavirus-treating Jinyintan Hospital;

-- Chen Wei, a military medical scientist who made major achievements in COVID-19-related basic research and development of vaccine and protective medicine.

 "I would like to sincerely thank the Party and the state for granting this honor to us four medical workers," Zhong said at the meeting. "This represents the full acknowledgement of the healthcare professionals' work by the Party and the state."

Zhong said there should be no relaxation in epidemic response despite the initial victory in China's COVID-19 fight, and pledged to cooperate with colleagues around the country and the world to continue working on tracing virus sources, blocking transmission routes, and developing fast diagnosis, medicines and vaccines.

Xi signed a presidential order on Aug 11 awarding the four persons after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress voted to adopt a decision to confer the national medal and honorary title on the four renowned specialists. 

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.

Xi and other Chinese leaders met with the role models and had a group photo taken with them.

READ MORE: Xi to commend top champions in COVID-19 fight

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. (LI XIANG / XINHUA)

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Supporting WHO in virus fight

In the meeting, Xi also stressed that China will continue to support the World Health Organization in playing a leading role in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

China will continue to support the World Health Organization in playing a leading role in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi said, stressing that no efforts will be spared to strive for full victory in the fight against COVID-19.

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. (ZHANG LING / XINHUA)

Pointing out that unity and cooperation are the right choices for the international community in the face of a major crisis, Xi said China's battle against COVID-19 has demonstrated the power of core socialist values and fine traditional Chinese culture, which provides great motivation and helps build consensus as well as pool resources.