Xi Praises COVID Role Models in Speech

China holds a meeting to commend role models in the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic in Beijing on Tuesday morning, Sept 8, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping attended a meeting to commend role models in China's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic on Tuesday. He presented medals to four outstanding individuals, and delivered a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Here are some highlights from his address.

Heroic feat

- China has achieved another heroic feat in humankind's fight against disease.

- The Communist Party of China Central Committee had adopted extraordinary measures to tackle the extraordinary incident of COVID-19 epidemic.China had effectively curbed the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and protected people's lives and health to the greatest extent.

- The Chinese people put up a strong defense with unity to contain the COVID-19 epidemic.

- Millions of medical workers fought the COVID-19 epidemic at the front line across the country. Nearly half of the medical staff involved in the country's fight against COVID-19 are young people no more than 31 years old.

- Chinese economy is steadily turning for the better as the country has coordinated epidemic containment with economic growth after the sudden outbreak of COVID-19.

China has become the first major economy to return to growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, and has taken the lead in the world in both epidemic control and economic recovery.

- The major strategic achievement gained from China's fight against COVID-19 fully demonstrated the remarkable advantages of the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and socialism.

Global fight

- China has been working together with other countries of the world, and contributed its wisdom and strength to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- China has offered assistance to the international community in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic to the best of its ability, despite the tremendous pressure in domestic epidemic control.

- China exported 151.5 billion masks, 1.4 billion protective suits and 209,000 ventilators to support the global fight against COVID-19 between March 15 and Sept 6.

- China has helped save a great number of lives from COVID-19 around the world with concrete actions.

Spirit of combating COVID-19

- China's spirit of combating the COVID-19 epidemic features putting people's lives first, nationwide solidarity, sacrifice, respecting science, and a sense of mission for humanity.

- China's treatment method of combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine for COVID-19 has been learned and used by many countries.

- China had launched the most intensive and wide-ranging emergency humanitarian assistance actions since the founding of New China.

Experience in six areas

- The strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the most reliable backbone for Chinese people in times of trouble.

- The outstanding advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental guarantee for resisting risks and challenges, and enhancing the capacity of national governance.

- The unyielding will of the Chinese people is the source of power for overcoming all hardships and obstacles on the way forward.

- The great struggle against coronavirus has once again proven that strong national strength accumulated since the founding of the People's Republic of China has laid a solid ground for the country to take any "turbulent tide" with composure.

- 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.

- The extensive appeal of building a community with a shared future for humanity is the right way for the mankind to overcome common challenges and build a more prosperous and better world.

Plans for future

- Striving for full victory in fight against COVID-19

- Ensuring completing building of moderately prosperous society in all respects

- Strengthening institutional guarantee for safeguarding the people's lives and health.

- Joint efforts with the global community to cope with growing global challenges:

(1) China will continue to play the role of being the largest supplier of global anti-epidemic materials.

(2) China will continue to support the World Health Organization in playing a leading role in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

(3) China will continue to advance economic globalization, steadfastly uphold the multilateral trading system, and join other countries in endeavoring to restore global economic prosperity at an early date.