Xi Jinping hails China’s ‘decisive action’ to contain pandemic at Covid-19 hero ceremony
- Top respiratory diseases expert Zhong Nanshan receives Medal of the Republic; 44 recognised posthumously for their efforts during crisis
- President uses event to hail China’s success in Covid-19 fight and economic recovery while virus still rages in other parts of the world
At the event where top national honours were presented to people credited with leading the country’s battle to contain the outbreak, Xi said: “We quickly achieved initial success in the people’s war against the coronavirus. We are leading the world in economic recovery and in the fight against Covid-19.”
01:57
Experts who helped China fight Covid-19 receive top honours from President Xi Jinping
The lavish presentation was held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and live-streamed by state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party, also stressed that China’s success was only achieved under the party’s leadership. He did not mention the United States by name but alluded to accusations that the US president has mishandled the crisis by saying that China acted quickly to contain the virus threat.