"Communists can only win the hearts of the people by virtue of their strong personality," he said.

Xi noted that the recipients of the July 1 Medal are everyday people who are heroes. They come from the people and are deeply rooted in the people, he said, adding that they are humble, unassuming and dedicated people.

He called on Party members to learn from the deeds and the spirit of the medal recipients.

Through their actions they have proved that every Party member can make accomplishments in the great cause of national rejuvenation as long as they have firm ideals and beliefs, resolute willpower and steadfast perseverance, he added.

"This is a new era that calls for heroes and will surely give rise to heroes. If the Communist Party of China always wants to be the vanguard of the era and the backbone of the nation, its members must be held to the highest standards," Xi said.

He highlighted the need to encourage Party members to always remember the Party's character and fundamental purpose and its original inspirations and mission and to fight without complacency and enduringly.

Zhang Guimei, a recipient of the medal and the founder of a high school that offers free education for girls in a less-developed area in Yunnan province, said at the ceremony that the medal was a great encouragement to her.

"What we did was merely what many CPC members are doing every day, and yet the Party and the people have given us such a great honor," she said, adding that she will continue to devote herself to the cause of education.

Before the award ceremony, Xi and other leaders met recipients of the titles of outstanding Party members, exemplary Party workers and model community-level Party organizations from across the country, and had a group photo taken with them.

The meeting to award these titles was held on Monday and was attended by Wang Huning and Zhao Leji, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.