BEIJING — China will select and honor 200 people as role models of dedication for their outstanding performance over the last seven decades since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

An online vote for candidates concluded on Aug 5, attracting more than 115 million votes and 200 million views across the country within 15 days, said the organizing committee in a statement.

A total of 722 candidates were recommended before the voting, including veteran Zhang Fuqing, demining soldier Du Fuguo and late village official Huang Wenxiu.

The selection is based on the online voting results and expert voting and review, said the organizing committee.

The campaign was jointly launched by several central authorities including the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee in mid-June.