Entrepreneurs, scientists, legal workers, sports stars, teachers and grass-roots officials in the country were among the 15 people awarded the highest honor for the 70 million-strong Communist Youth League of China.

The winners of the China Youth May 4th Medals included Deng Zhonghan, the CEO of Beijing Zhongxin Micro-electronics Co Ltd; Song Yushui, the Civil Division Chief Judge of the fifth tribunal in Haidian District Court in Beijing; and Chen Chunxiao, a teacher in a junior secondary school in Hubei Province.

Zhou Haijiang, the CEO of Hongdou Group, Zhou Tao, a hostess on China's Central Television, and table tennis star Liu Guoliang were also winners.

The Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the All-China Youth Federation said they had made significant contributions to China's drive to open up and modernize.

The awards are expected to be handed out today May 4th Youth Day.

The China Youth May 4th Medal, first issued in 1997, is the top award given by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the All-China Youth Federation to young people each year.

The aim is to set a good example to other young people, encouraging them to engage in China's modernization and make a contribution to the country.

Any Chinese person aged between 14 and 40 who make such a contribution and impress with their performance in his/her field is qualified to apply for a medal.

Meanwhile, to welcome Youth Day, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China also praised some members of the Communist Youth League and outstanding cadres of the league, Xinhua reported.

Among 191 excellent members of the Communist Youth League, there were 85 women and 31 ethnic minorities. Among 197 outstanding cadres, 41 were females and 23 were ethnic minorities, Xinhua said.

(China Daily May 4, 2005)