Xi Jinping walks into the venue of the presentation ceremony of the national medals and honorary titles of the People's Republic of China with the recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sep 29, 2024. China held a high-profile ceremony on Sunday morning to award the highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Photo:Xinhua

President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony awarding the country's highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Before his speech, Xi presented the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and medals of national honorary titles at the Great Hall of the People.

Four people, including Wang Yongzhi, a late missile and rocket expert and a pioneer of China's manned space program, were awarded the Medal of the Republic. Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, received the Friendship Medal. Ten people were awarded medals of national honorary titles.

Among the highest state honors are also a previous border guard from Tajik ethnicity in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County Tiznapu Township, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. For three generations spanning 70 years, Baiyika and his family have guarded the border on the Pamir Plateau.

President Xi extended warm congratulations and high respects to the recipients of China's highest state honors.

On this occasion, Xi said that over the past 75 years the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led Chinese people of all ethnic groups in creating the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

He hailed the earthshaking changes that have taken place in China and stated that national rejuvenation is now on an irreversible historical course.

A galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting prosperity of the Party and the people's cause, Xi said.

The Chinese president also called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

China is going through a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

He emphasized the need to bear in mind the aspirations, hone the skills, and make contributions to building a strong China.

He encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts and urged all to make contributions to resolve development and reform challenges, and safeguard social harmony and stability.

Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, received the Friendship Medal.

Xi lauded Rousseff as an outstanding representative of China's old friends and good friends who have shared the same aspirations and stood together with the Chinese people over the past 75 years.

Chinese people will never forget international friends who have made prominent contributions to China's development and the friendship between Chinese and foreign peoples, Xi said.

Xi said Chinese people stand ready to work together with people of various countries to safeguard world peace and boost common development.

Xi also called for joint efforts to build a human community with a shared future and create an even brighter future for humanity.

Before the ceremony, the recipients of the national medals and honorary titles were escorted by the state guest motorcade to the Great Hall of the People.