Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed contributions made by medical workers in the country's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak and called on them to continue to give priority to the people and their lives.

　　Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has sent greetings to medical workers across the country ahead of China's Medical Workers' Day, which falls on August 19.

　　Medical workers are important forces to promote the development of the health industry, he said, adding that they have made arduous efforts and remarkable contributions in fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak.

　　In his greetings, Xi called on medical workers to be committed to the principle of giving priority to the people and their lives, make efforts for the progress of medical services, and make new contributions for improving people's health and welfare.

　　He also urges authorities at various levels and the whole society to care for medical workers and support their professional training and innovation.

　　On August 20, 2016, Xi stressed at a national meeting on health that public health should be given priority in China's development strategy, calling for full protection of people's health.

　　On November 3, 2017, the State Council approved a proposal for establishing the national Medical Workers' Day, making August 19 the day to acknowledge and commemorate the efforts of Chinese medical personnel. Wednesday marks China's third Medical Workers' Day.