Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded national medals and honorary titles to 42 honorees for their contributions to the People's Republic of China (PRC) at a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday morning.

President Xi signed a presidential decree on September 17, as the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, adopted a decision to award the medals and titles.

Here's a detailed description of the medals and titles:

The Medal of the Republic honors people who made exceptional contributions to the development of the PRC. The medal has illustrations of China's national emblem, a five-pointed star, the Yellow River, Yangtze River, a mountain and orchid flowers.

The Friendship Medal signifies the long-lasting unity and friendship between Chinese people and foreigners. It also conveys Chinese peoples' wish for universal prosperity. The medal has illustrations of a dove, the Earth, a handshake, and lotus flowers.

The medal for national honorary titles has illustrations of five-pointed stars, the Tian'anmen Rostrum, peony flowers, flags and light rays. The medal honors those who made exceptional contributions in specific fields, including "the people's scientist," "the people's artist," "the people's hero," "the people's role model" and more.