BEIJING, May 11 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of International Nurses' Day, President Xi Jinping sent holiday greetings to the nurses nationwide on behalf of the Party Central Committee.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, a vast number of nurses threw themselves into the battle without hesitation and proved worthy of the great trust placed in them. They bravely marched to the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 at home and abroad, demonstrating the noble spirit of respecting and protecting life, healing the wounded and rescuing the dying, and being dedicated to the cause, Xi noted.

Nursing is an important part of health care, Xi said, asking Party committees and governments at all levels to care about nurses, focus more efforts on strengthening the nursing workforce, improve the incentive mechanisms, set a good example to follow, and support nurses in long-term nursing work. Xi expressed the hope that nurses will pass on the fine traditions, promote the humanitarian spirit and make further contributions to China's health care development and global public health.