A time to honor national role models is at hand

Ai Aiguo, 71, is a welder who became a leading figure in his profession and tackled hundreds of technological challenges through five decades of dedicated work.

"I have been a front-line worker for 53 years. I see welding as a source of joy. I will continue to work on the front line as long as my company keeps me there," he told me.

Ting Bater, born in 1955, has spent more than 40 years improving the lives of people in an impoverished village in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. "It is an honor that belongs to the CPC members from my region. Many Party members at the grassroots are equally hardworking, and I am only here on their behalf," he told me in a calm voice.

Some winners of the July 1 Medal have received less recognition in the media for seemingly having undistinguished titles and positions. However, they are heroic in a way that truly explains what a CPC member is.

The timing of the event, two days ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding, is significant.

The CPC wrote in its charter that members of the Party will forever be ordinary working people, and they must wholeheartedly serve the people.

The ceremony, the list of honorees and what they have accomplished, best exemplify that statement, and the character of the Party.