CANBERRA－Australian senior constable Kelly Foster, who lost her life last year trying to save a Chinese national, was awarded the Gold Great Wall commemorative medal by the Chinese ambassador to Australia on Feb 24.

The medal, established by the Ministry of Public Security of China in 2020, is awarded to law enforcement officers from foreign countries who have made outstanding contributions toward protecting the safety of Chinese citizens.

This is the first time the gold medal is decreed.

On Jan 2, 2021, 39-year-old Foster was drowned in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales when she attempted to help Chinese woman Jennifer Qi, who had been tipped off her inflatable lilo when it was swept into a whirlpool.

"To commemorate her heroic act, a decision was made by the Ministry of Public Security of China to award her the Gold Great Wall commemorative medal, the highest honor in this category," said Xiao Qian, Chinese ambassador to Australia.

"Entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security of China, I have the honor today to invest this medal on the late senior constable Foster on behalf of the government of China," he said.

Foster and Qi, who was drowned as well, did not know each other, but at that critical moment, the police officer jumped into the whirlpool without hesitation. Xiao noted that Foster's heroic act "embodies the simple, yet lofty humanitarian spirit".

"From her, we truly feel the warmth of great love and humanity that transcends race, culture and nationality," he said.

Terry Foster, father of the senior constable, said he was proud of what his daughter did.

"She would help anybody that needed help, even growing up when she was at school," he recalled in sorrow. "It was a good way to live…We just miss her so much."

"It was typical of Kelly," said her mother Marilyn Foster, fighting back tears. "She was sensitive, caring and loving."

In the interview, she said they were overwhelmed to receive the medal. "This is from another country. We can't believe it. I didn't know that this would happen."

She said they are now good friends with Qi's parents. "They're really lovely people," said Marilyn Foster. "We talk to them quite often."

Karen Webb, commissioner of the NSW Police Force, said at the ceremony that the award bestowed on Foster by China is "a great tribute to Kelly's selfless bravery, and deeply appreciated by her colleagues and the wider NSW Police Force".

Ambassador Xiao said he believed that Foster's action has helped deepen the existing friendship between people in China and Australia.

"Ms Kelly's story has once again brought our two peoples closer. Her heroic deeds have been widely spread and highly admired in China, and people in China can feel the warmth, kindness and friendship of the Australian people," he said.

Recognizing the bonds between peoples as key to enhancing state-to-state relations, Xiao said since the establishment of China-Australia diplomatic relations in 1972, there have been frequent exchanges and close cooperation in various sectors, bringing tangible benefits to all parties and making a positive contribution to the development, prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

"Healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations serves the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the two peoples," he said.

"Taking the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between our two countries as an opportunity, China is willing to work with Australia to meet each other halfway, review the past and look into the future, adhere to the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and make joint efforts to push China-Australia relations forward on the right track."