Beijing, 28 July 2022 (TDI): The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, presented the highest honor in the Chinese military, the August 1 Medal, to three military servicemen on Wednesday ahead of the 95th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on August 1 this year.
Xi presented the servicemen with certificates of honor and took photos with them, including Du Fuguo, a young demining soldier; Qian Qihu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE); and Nie Haisheng, commander of the epic Shenzhou-12 manned spaceflight mission.
The August 1 Medal is awarded to military personnel who have contributed significantly to preserving national sovereignty, developing interests, and advancing national defense and the armed forces modernization.
In addition, he also presented an honorary flag to a PLA Air Force model ground-to-air missile battalion.
Furthermore, CMC Vice chairman Xu Qiliang read orders signed by Xi to honor the service personnel and the unit. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the awarding ceremony in Beijing (CMC).
August 1 Medal Awardees
Du lost his eyesight and arms while attempting to protect others during a border-area mine clearance operation in 2018. He removed over 150 tonnes of bombs and 400 land mines throughout his career and dealt with over 20 emergencies.
Qian has spent over 60 years studying protection engineering, assisting China in constructing an indestructible underground ‘Steel Great Wall.’ In 2019, he received China’s highest scientific honor. Later, he donated his entire prize money to help poor children get an education.
Nie is one of China’s most experienced astronauts. He was a member of the country’s first astronaut team in 1998 and has traveled to space three times. Last year, Nie and two colleagues became the first crew to live and work in the Tianhe space station’s core module.
Chinese People’s Liberation Army
The People’s Liberation Army originated in the communist-led Nanchang Uprising against the Nationalists in 1927. It expanded during the reigns of Mao Zedong and Zhu De. Only a small portion of this force made it through the Long March in retreat from the Nationalists.
It also has one of the world’s largest military forces. The People’s Liberation Army defeated the Nationalists and was instrumental in establishing the People’s Republic of China in 1949
