China has awarded 30 individuals and 14 groups and organizations the May 4th Medals to celebrate their great contributions to the country.

A working group from Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd. (Sinovac LS) in Beijing, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Sinovac, was among the recipients. It is known for developing and manufacturing one of the home-made COVID-19 vaccines.

The May 4th Medal has been bestowed on exceptional individuals and entities since 1997 with the aim of inspiring the country's youth to embrace and preserve the May 4th Movement and encourage them to contribute to the development of the country.

The patriotic May 4th Movement was launched in 1919 by young Chinese students and intellectuals to fight imperialism and feudalism. Since 1949, the country has celebrated Chinese Youth Day on May 4.

(Cover: A group of young members of the Communist Party of China visit a historical site remembering revolutionary fighters in Enshi, Hubei Province, central China, April 30, 2021./ CFP)