A report meeting of role model Zou Bihua is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2015. Zou Bihua, former deputy head of Shanghai Higher People's Court, suffered a heart attack in December and died at the age of 47 after devoting himself to a judicial career for 26 years. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders on Monday called on officials to take inspiration from a judge who was posthumously honored with a top national award recently.

President Xi Jinping praised Zou Bihua, former deputy head of Shanghai Higher People's Court, as an "impartial judge who cared about people".

"The judge, who guarded equity and justice and was brave to face tough obstacles in judicial reform, showed his loyalty to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the people," Xi said in a written instruction.

Zou suffered a heart attack in December and died at the age of 47 after devoting himself to a judicial career for 26 years.

Xi urged Party members to learn from him and observe the rule of law.

The judge was awarded the title "national outstanding CPC member" after his death by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, asked for more media reporting on Zou.