BEIJING, May 18 -- The seventh national conference to commend self-improvement role models with disabilities and people and units that have made outstanding contributions to helping the disabled was held in Beijing on May 16. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued important instructions. Prior to the 35th National Day for Helping the Disabled and on behalf of the Party Central Committee, Xi extended congratulations to the honored national role models as well as the outstanding units and individuals of disability support. He also extended greetings to all individuals with disabilities, their families and relatives, and to those who are dedicated to supporting disabled people across the nation.
Xi pointed out that persons with disabilities are both an important force driving Chinese modernization and a special-needs group who face hardships and require particular care and attention from society. On the new journey, it is essential to follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, further improve the social security and service systems for those living with disabilities, effectively ensure their equal rights and interests, and promote all-around development of related programs for the disabled.
Xi emphasized that Party committees and governments at all levels should give high priority to the work related to the disabled, continually improve the quality of public services for this group, and actively foster a supportive social environment where understanding, respect, care, and assistance for the disabled are widely promoted. Disabled persons' federations and service workers must keep improving their service capacity and standards, and strive to become close companions trusted and relied upon by disabled persons. It is hoped that persons with disabilities will draw strength from the role models, overcome difficulties and challenges with courage, pursue life aspirations, and make meaningful contributions to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
Before the conference, Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with representatives of the conference attendees and had a group photo with them.
State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also head of the State Council Working Committee on Disability, attended the meeting. She read out the important instructions from Xi at the commendation conference. In remarks that followed, Shen said that General Secretary Xi's important instructions show heartfelt sincerity with deep thought, offering great encouragement and inspiration to persons with disabilities and workers of disability support. Bearing in mind Xi's expectations, and with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility, they should enhance care, support and protection of rights and interests of disabled persons, she said. Shen stressed inspiring self-improvement and self-reliance among persons with disabilities, encouraging the whole society to assist and support the disabled, and promoting the all-round development of programs for people with disabilities in the Chinese modernization drive, so that persons with disabilities will be brought together and supported to pursue a happier and better life.
A total of 200 national role models of self-improvement, as well as 200 outstanding units and 60 individuals dedicated to disability support services, were honored at the conference. Three representatives of the awardees -- Tang Zhanxin, director of the Beijing New Life Elderly Care and Disability Support Services Center; Ma Guangbu, head of the Disabled Persons' Federation of the Hongsibu District in Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and Professor Xu Peng from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China -- each delivered a speech.
Zhang Qingwei, He Baoxiang and Zhang Shengmin attended the meeting and the conference, and Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.
