Audience members and honorees at a recent awards ceremony said they felt motivated and inspired by the stories and spirit of national model workers and exemplary individuals who were celebrated for their deeds. Their devotion to and pursuit of fine workmanship, they said, has pushed forward the nation's progress of rejuvenation.

On April 28, President Xi Jinping addressed a gathering celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and honoring national model workers and exemplary individuals in Beijing.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, told the 1,670 national model workers and 756 exemplary individuals that they are role models for the people and pillars of the nation. He encouraged them to cherish their awards and continue to make new accomplishments.

The national model workers, exemplary individuals and worker representatives from across the nation who attended the gathering said they were fully inspired by the speech.

"It was so heartening and encouraging to us workers. I felt a very strong sense of mission and commitment at the scene after listening to President Xi Jinping's speech," said Weng Huimin, 45, who has served as a social worker for 16 years at the Shangrao Federation of Trade Unions in eastern Jiangxi province. She was invited to the gathering in Beijing as a worker representative.

Weng said Xi's words greatly motivated her as a social worker.

"I will look at the national model workers as a good example for my future work and actively improve my own professional competence and services with stronger enthusiasm and higher morale," she said.

"I will pay close attention to the workers' real needs and help them tackle challenges and problems to raise their sense of happiness and belonging."

Several newly honored national role models and exemplary individuals said they appreciated the awards and will use them as strong motivation for their future career progress.

Deng Lanzhou, a rural bus driver in Wufeng Tujia autonomous county, Hubei province, who is one of the newly honored national model workers, has devoted himself to rural transportation for nearly 20 years. He said a strong sense of security, adept skills and attention to vehicular sanitation and upkeep reflect his understanding of model worker spirit.

"I drive the bus along a precipitous mountain road, so it's necessary for me to check the vehicle's condition, rain or shine," Deng said. "I take every passenger as my own family member. I think being down-to-earth, having perseverance and pursuing workmanship are all important to every post and every worker. These standards and spiritual pursuits will continue to motivate me in the future."

Mo Jingxi contributed to this story.

[email protected]