A photo of Li Wenliang is among the flowers people sent to the Central Hospital of Wuhan on Saturday. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

China on Tuesday awarded 94 outstanding individuals and 34 groups and organizations the 24th national May 4th Medals to mark their extraordinary contributions to the country, in particular their sacrifices in combating the coronavirus this year. 

Among the individuals recognized, 34 were awarded posthumously, including "whistleblower" doctor Li Wenliang who died of COVID-19 on February 7 in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

Nurses, doctors, and clinical care physicians were the most notable among the recipients, and the collective awards also recognized medical groups who aided hard-hit Hubei and Wuhan by COVID-19. 

Although medical personnel make up about one third of recipients, the individual awards were given to people from all walks of life. Volleyball player Zhu Ting, deliverymen, firefighters, farmers, pilots, engineers, teachers, researchers, and grassroots officials were also rewarded as they were recognized as models of noble character.

In addition to some medical groups aiding Hubei and Wuhan who won the group awards, troops, police stations, national key labs, volunteer teams for organ donation services, an aeronautical technical team, and construction team for building makeshift hospitals in Wuhan won the respect of the panel, which was composed of 108 judges from Party and government organs, universities and research institutes, media outlets and some grassroots youth representatives.

According to China Youth Daily, the May 4th Medal is the highest honor for outstanding Chinese youths jointly awarded by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the China Youth Federation. Its aim is to establish models of noble character and those who have made outstanding contributions, and to reflect the spiritual character and value pursuit of contemporary youths in China.