BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Friday conferred the title of "role model of the times" on Lu Yonggen, an expert on rice genetics.
Lu, also the former president of the South China Agricultural University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, passed away in August due to illness.
He had devoted himself to research on rice genetics and breeding and made great contributions to the country's agricultural development, according to a decision of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee in granting the title.
He lived a simple and selfless life. He donated over 8.8 million yuan (about 1.25 million U.S. dollars) to establish an educational foundation, as well as his own body for medical research and education.
After being broadcasted by media outlets, Lu's story caused a warm response throughout society as a whole.
