Zhong Nanshan, 84, a prominent infectious disease expert, has been awarded the Medal of the Republic. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order on August 11, awarding four people for their outstanding contribution to fighting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Medal of the Republic was first awarded last year, the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Zhong is a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, South China.

He has made distinguished contributions in areas including prevention and control of the epidemic, treatment of severely ill patients and related research.

The other three who received the honorary title People's Hero are Zhang Boli, also a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan's designated coronavirus-treating Jinyintan Hospital; and Chen Wei, a scientist at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences who made major achievements in COVID-19-related basic research and the development of a vaccine and protective medicine.