Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday signed a presidential order to award four people for their outstanding contribution in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.
Zhong Nanshan, a top respiratory expert who identified the SARS virus in 2003 and is currently leading the Chinese government's efforts in the fight against COVID-19, was awarded the Medal of the Republic.
Zhang Boli, Zhang Dingyu and Chen Wei, all of whom played an important role in the fight against COVID-19, have been awarded national honorary titles.