XI'AN, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Li Huan's post on social media platform LinkedIn of Chinese medical personnel battling the COVID-19 epidemic has won 240,000 views and 47,000 likes, with many foreigners expressing their respect for the brave and hardworking medical staff.

"True heroes cannot fly, are not superman, do not have magical powers or impressive muscles...They are just ordinary people, fulfilling their mission regardless of the situation. They are heroes," said the wide-spread post.

Li, 39, is president of the Association France-Shaanxi and a local in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Before the Spring Festival this year, Li and his daughter went to visit relatives in Wuhan, the central Chinese city hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic early last year.

Li shared what he saw and felt during the trip on social platforms. "This city, which was once locked down during the epidemic, has regained its vitality. Wuhan is a city of heroes!"

For many years, Li has been giving speeches in fluent French on international social networks, French TV channels and forums, aiming to tell real China stories to the world.

He went to study in France in 2002, and after graduation, he set up his own company to promote cooperation between Chinese and French companies.

"When I first arrived in France, I realized that the impression most French people had of China was far from what I knew, and even full of arrogance and prejudice," said Li, adding that he introduced his and his families' stories in the face of misunderstandings.

"A good understanding between the two peoples is the cornerstone of the friendship between the two countries and the basis for promoting cooperation," he said.

To improve mutual understanding, Li joined an entrepreneurs' club in his college years. During the period when he chaired the club, it held various activities to promote entrepreneurship.

Through these social experiences, Li gained a deep understanding of France and the French people.

"For over 10 years, I've fought against prejudice. I feel the responsibility and the ability to speak to the French about the real China," he said.

Li has attracted a large number of fans. "I'm not trying to persuade everyone, but I use facts and logic to provoke thinking and make them aware of the manipulation and deception of some Western media and politicians."

At the start of the pandemic, Li led several societies including the Association France-Shaanxi to collect 600,000 yuan (about 92,992 U.S. dollars) to buy 350,000 masks and send them to four hospitals in Wuhan.

"The pandemic has brought Chinese people abroad together and made us understand the importance of people around the world working together to fight the epidemic," Li said.

Li has not been able to travel between China and France as often as in previous years due to the pandemic, but his work in building bridges for trade cooperation between the two countries has not waned.

On Jan. 26, a service center for Chinese and French businesses was established in the Xixian New Area in Shaanxi thanks to Li's efforts.

"We hope to attract small and medium businesses from France and Europe to invest and develop in China, giving full play to the business environment and policy advantages in the free trade zone," Li added. Enditem