BEIJING, Sept. 17 (China Space News) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday signed a presidential decree to award 42 Chinese and foreign individuals national medals and honorary titles, as the People's Republic of China prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

The conferring of the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal and national honorary titles, with some to posthumous awardees, was endorsed by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top legislature, at a special session on Tuesday.

Sun Jiadong was honored with the Medal of the Republic, and Ye Peijian was honoured with the honoray title of people's scientist.