BEIJING -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed orders to honor a soldier and three military units.

The title "Heroic Demining Soldier" was awarded to Du Fuguo, who in an operation last year lost his eyesight and both hands trying to protect his fellow soldiers from a landmine explosion.

The three military units honored are an air force group, an astronautical ground station and a scientific research office.

At a CMC ceremony on Wednesday, Xi hung a medal around Du's neck and presented him with a certificate, and went on to confer honorary banners to representatives of the three units.

Xi took a group photo with them.