Photo: From Changanjian, a WeChat account affiliated with Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee

 
A commendation conference was held in Beijing on Monday to honor heroes and role models for courageous acts. 48 individuals and 12 groups were recognized, including Hu Youping, a resident of Suzhou, who lost her life while trying to stop a knife attack that injured two Japanese nationals.

Some of those who were honored bravely confronted crime and injustice, while others rushed into danger during rescue and disaster relief efforts. 21 of them sacrificed their lives, China Central Television reported on Monday. 

Hu Youping is included on the honor list.

Hu, who was seriously injured in the attack and later died in hospital in an attempt to restrain the assailant at a bus stop in Suzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province in June last year.

Two Japanese nationals were also injured in the attack. One Japanese woman injured in the incident said Hu attempted to restrain the assailant, allowing the Japanese woman's son to escape. The attacker then turned to Hu, stabbing her before being subdued by passers-by and police patrol rushing to the scene.

"If she hadn't tried to hold back the assailant, there could have been more victims," one eyewitness told Xinhua.

In July last year, Suzhou held a memorial service to mourn Hu, and presented a heroic role model certificate to her family.

Global Times