National medals(奖章) and honorary titles(荣誉称号) are usually awarded once every five years. As part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary(周年) of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), President Xi Jinping awarded forty-two people the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal and national honorary titles. They come from different backgrounds, including scientists, lawmakers, educators, artists, model workers and six non-Chinese people. All have made big contributions(贡献) to the nation's construction and development. Here are some of the people we'll know.
Chinese scientist Tu Youyou is one of the eight who were awarded the Medal of the Republic. Tu, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize for her discovery of the malaria drug artemisinin (抗疟药物青蒿素), is the first Chinese citizen to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She has saved millions of lives worldwide. She has also made important scientific innovations(创新) in traditional Chinese medicine.
Tu is not the only one who has given her life to the country's development. Nan Rendong, before his death in 2017, led the research and development of China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST, 500米口径球面射电望远镜), the world's largest radio telescope. He worked on the project for more than 20 years. His contributions to Chinese astronomy (天文) earned him the title, "the people's scientist".
Also receiving awards are six foreign friends who have lent their hands to assist with China. Former French Prime Minister(总理) Jean-Pierre Raffarin, one member of the Friendship Medal, is a supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative(一带一路倡议). Having worked to strengthen the friendship between French and Chinese people in the past few years, he is "sincerely pleased" with the honor. "To work for this friendship is to work for peace," Raffarin said.
Thanks to the great efforts made by these great people, we can live in a peaceful country.
