BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Ten Chinese have been given the "May 4th Medal" for their outstanding contribution to the country's reform and opening up as well as the socialist modernization drive.

    The winners include Ding Xiaobing, one-arm ed colonel of the People's Armed Police, Chen Hualan, head of the national reference laboratory of bird flu, deaf-mute performer Tai Lihua and seven others who serve as rural officials, company managers, military officer, scientific researcher and manufacturer.

    The May 4th Medal was given by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the All-China Youth Federation,which is the top award for Chinese youths by the two organizations.

    Beginning from 1997, the May 4th Medal has been given to 10 youths every year. The purpose of the award is to inspire and lead the Chinese young people to inherit and carry forward the glorious tradition of the May 4th Movement, and devote themselves to the building of the country.

    The May 4th Movement was a patriotic campaign launched in 1919 by young Chinese students and intellectuals to fight imperialism and feudalism. It is regarded as a mark of the beginning of the new-democratic revolution in China.

    May 4th was officially set as the Chinese Youth Day by the China's Administration Council (the predecessor of the State Council) in December 1949. Enditem