China's Xi honours COVID-19 'heroes', as focus shifts to economic recovery

Attendees applaud as Chinese President Xi Jinping walks to his seat at an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19 at the Great Hall of the People. Defying charges from the United States and elsewhere that early failures enabled the coronavirus pandemic to spread more quickly, Xi said that China acted in an open and transparent manner throughout, and took decisive actions that saved lives.

President Xi Jinping honoured the "heroes" of China's "people's war" against COVID-19 at a ceremony on Tuesday, lauding the country's resilience as well as the decisive role played in containment efforts by the ruling Communist Party.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Chen Wei, vaccine researcher and People's Liberation Army (PLA) major general, next to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, at the end of a meeting to commend role models in China's fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, watches as an honor guard carrying medals marches at an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19.

A military official rushes to cover an invitation brochure reading "The National Reward Ceremony for Combating the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic" as a Chinese military officer poses for a photographer before an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19 at the Great Hall of the People.

Honorees carry plaques at an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is praising China's role in battling the global coronavirus pandemic and expressing support for the U.N.'s World Health Organization. Xi vowed to establish a long-term system for coordinating coronavirus-control efforts and develop the economy. He acknowledged that China continued to face the risk of sporadic virus infections.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan. "China has helped save the lives of tens of millions of people around the world with its practical actions, showing China's sincere desire to build a common future and community for humanity," Xi said at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Military band members attend the meeting to commend role models in China's fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

But as infections spread throughout the world while slowing domestically, Beijing grew more assertive, resisting global investigations into the origins of the outbreak and saying its swift actions helped buy time for other countries to prepare. Above, military band members rehearse before the meeting to commend role models in China's fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

A bandleader conducts a military band during an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is praising China's role in battling the global coronavirus pandemic and expressing support for the U.N.'s World Health Organization, in a repudiation of U.S. criticism and a bid to rally domestic support for Communist Party leadership.

Attendees pose for a group photo on the steps of the Great Hall of the People after an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19 in Beijing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is praising China's role in battling the global coronavirus pandemic and expressing support for the U.N.'s World Health Organization, in a repudiation of U.S. criticism and a bid to rally domestic support for Communist Party leadership.

Military attendees wearing face masks watch an event to honor some of those involved in China's fight against COVID-19 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.