Four individuals, including three renowned scientists and a veteran solider, were awarded the Medals of the Republic on Sunday for their great contributions to the construction and development of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Wang Yongzhi, a late missile and rocket expert and pioneer of China's manned space program; Wang Zhenyi, a medical scientist known for his breakthroughs in leukemia treatment; Li Zhensheng, an agricultural scientist in wheat breeding; and Huang Zongde, a veteran combat hero, were awarded the Medal of the Republic at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Wang Yongzhi was a recipient of the country's top science award in 2003. He passed away in June 2024, at the age of 92.
Wang's legacy has inspired future generations of scientists and engineers to advance space exploration.
Wang Zhenyi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a lifetime professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has made great contributions to affordable leukemia treatments. He received the country's top science award in 2010.
Li Zhensheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has developed fine strains of wheat through distant hybridization and contributed to China's food security. He was awarded the country's top science award in 2006.
Huang Zongde, 93, a legendary combat hero, who joined the revolution at the age of 17. He participated in many fierce battles, including the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), and rendered meritorious service on many occasions.
On Sept 13, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to award national medals and national honorary titles to 15 individuals on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC which falls on Oct 1.
Four renowned scientists, veteran combat hero awarded Medals of Republic
Four renowned scientists, veteran combat hero awarded Medals of Republic
Colombians are heading to the polls on Sunday to elect their next president. The country's constitution prevents the current President, Gustavo Petro, from running for a second term.
Yet, many see this election as a referendum on the policies of Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first leftist president.
There are 14 candidates on Sunday's ballot, but the polls show it will likely be a tight three-way race.
The frontrunner is Ivan Cepeda, a 63-year-old three-term senator, representing President Gustavo Petro's party, the Historic Pact coalition. Cepeda has vowed to defend and deepen Petro's progressive reforms and social justice policies to reduce inequality. He also promises to continue the government's controversial "Total Peace" strategy to negotiate the disarmament of remaining guerrilla groups and criminal gangs.
"True prosperity comes from equality, from access to rights, and from transforming the peripheral and excluded territories of the rural world," Cepeda said at a campaign rally.
Running as a political outsider and independent is Abelardo de la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer, nicknamed "The Tiger." He has presented himself as the "authority and order" candidate who will reduce state spending by up to 40 percent in the next four years.
"(First,) we must fight insecurity. Colombia is suffering today from a pandemic of insecurity. Crime is out of control: extortion, cattle theft, smuggling, drug trafficking," he said to his supporters at an election event.
According to polls, the third candidate with strong support is Paloma Valencia. The 48-year-old senator represents the Democratic Center party led by popular former President Alvaro Uribe Velez. Her candidacy is backed by politicians and economists who are concerned with growing levels of public debt. They want to see a return to more conservative fiscal policies.
"I don't want to be a president who governs alone, locked away in glass offices. I want to be a president who stands with citizens, who embraces them, who reaches out to them, who has a team, and who governs to transform Colombia," the candidate said at the campaign event
According to polls earlier in the year, many voters are expressing concerns about unemployment, rising living costs, corruption, and, above all, public security.
The election comes after a turbulent year that the International Committee of the Red Cross has called "the worst humanitarian consequences of armed conflict over the past decade."
"(We arrive at this election in a tense atmosphere - tense) because of the economic situation, because of the security situation, and because of the narratives that have been built around the country's main problems. On top of that, emotions, ideas and social media have all helped raise (the tone,)" said Eduardo Velosa, associate professor from International Studies Javeriana University.
If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will be held between the top two finishers on June 21st.
Colombians prepare to choose their next president
