![Zhong Nanshan](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/time-100-Zhong-Nanshan.jpg?quality=85&w=550)
Dr. Zhong Nanshan, an experienced epidemiologist and physician, has been leading China’s National Health Commission’s expert panel for investigating the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. He has become the public face of China’s efforts to halt the spread.
After visiting Wuhan, Dr. Zhong spoke out frankly about human-to-human transmission, and suggested evidence-based prevention and control measures to contain the disease. As a trusted doctor, he is very effective in calming public fear and anxiety with facts, and promoting community support for public-health measures.
Dr. Zhong has earned recognition for his dedication, integrity, academic and professional achievements, and for sharing China’s successful control efforts and treatment plan with the international community.
On Sept. 8, President Xi Jinping awarded Dr. Zhong a Medal of the Republic, the highest state honor, for his great contribution to China’s fight against the epidemic.
Chan is a former director-general of the World Health Organization and the inaugural dean of the Vanke School of Public Health at Tsinghua University in China