A special ceremony was held on Monday by Guangdong provincial government to award Deng Lianxian and Ye Xin, both sacrificed in the fight against SARS, as revolutionary martyrs.

Deng Lianxian, doctor of the No.3 hospital attached to Sun Yet-sen University of Medical Sciences, was infected SARS virus when working at the front-line of the fight against SARS and died on April 21, 2003.

Ye Xin, head nurse worked in the same hospital, was also contracted SARS while giving first aid to SARS patients and died on March 25, 2003.

Li Ronggen, vice governor of south China's Guangdong Province, said on the awarding ceremony that people should learn the spirit of martyrs to continue the fight against SARS and conquer the disease in the final.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2003)