Chinese President Xi Jinping called for extensive efforts to further carry forward heroes and role models' distinct spirits of loyalty, perseverance and humbleness after presenting national medals and honorary titles to the honorees. 

As the People's Republic of China prepares to celebrate its 70th founding anniversary, China on Sunday held a ceremony to grant three types of awards: the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal and national honorary titles. 

Addressing the gathering at the event, Xi conveyed congratulations and respect to heroes and role models. 

The Chinese president said the ceremony aims to confer the highest national honor on outstanding people who have made great contributions to China's national construction and development, and international friends who have made outstanding contributions to promoting Sino-foreign exchanges and cooperation. 

When people respect and advocate heroes, more heroes will come to the fore, Xi said, underscoring the importance of honoring the heroes and role models. 

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Heroes and role models once again demonstrate with their actions that greatness comes out of the ordinary, Xi said. 

"Only if we have firm ideals, a spirit of perseverance and a down-to-earth attitude to do ordinary things, can ordinary people lead an extraordinary life, and ordinary work achieve greatness." 

Xi stressed their loyalty to the cause of the Party and the people, their dedication and decades-long hard work in fields where the Party and the people need them most, and their humbleness and willingness to make huge sacrifices in ordinary job posts without pursuing fame or self-interest. 

He also called on the honorees to continue working and influence more people and encouraged all of the society to respect, learn from, uphold and take good care of heroes to make concrete contributions to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 

Xi: China appreciates the contribution of longtime friends

Describing the Friendship Medal awardees as China's old and good friends, the Chinese president expressed his sincere thanks for their enduring support of China's development.

The Chinese people are willing to work with people all over the world to build a community with a shared future for mankind and make the planet a better place, Xi said.

Huang Xuhua, a recipient of the Medal of the Republic, said he appreciated the affirmation and encouragement of the Party and the country and vowed his dedication to the nation with no complaints. 

Huang made the remarks while attending the award ceremony of national medals and honorary titles held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday morning.  

Huang spearheaded the design of China's first-generation nuclear submarine. When Long March First, China's earliest nuclear submarine prototype, took its maiden voyage on December 26, 1970, Huang set a world record as the first chief engineer to be aboard a submarine for its test dive. 

In the new era, Huang called for more efforts to work constantly towards attaining the "Two Centenary Goals," and shouldering the historic mission of national rejuvenation. 

The Medal of the Republic is conferred on prominent figures who have made great contributions and achievements in the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics and in defending the state. 

A recipient of the Friendship Medal, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand expressed thanks on behalf of all the awardees. She said she feels deeply honored and expressed her willingness to contribute to promoting cooperation with China. 

As an economic power, China stands rock-firm with a completely new image in the family of nations, said Princess Sirindhorn.

She also congratulated China and the Chinese people on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

Princess Sirindhorn is one of six foreigners who were awarded the Medal of Friendship for their great contributions to supporting China's socialist modernization, promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries and safeguarding world peace. 

The award recipients include not only well-known people like prominent scientists but also ordinary individuals who have dedicated their lives to developing China's remote areas.  

Teng Jianqun, director of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, and Harvey Dzodin, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization gave their takes on the common characteristics that these awardees share. 

According to them, the honoring and promotion of outstanding individuals will inspire the Chinese people to continue striving for national rejuvenation and demonstrate China's strong will to safeguard world peace and promote human progress.