BEIJING, March 4 -- Chinese authorities on Wednesday singled out 50 institutions and 50 individuals for praise for how they have acted in the spirit of Lei Feng, the country's model Good Samaritan.

March 5 was designed by late Chairman Mao Zedong as "Lei Feng Day" to commemorate the soldier who died tragically young in the early 1960s after devoting his life to selflessly helping the needy. Chinese are taught about his altruism from childhood.

The 50 institutions, mainly public agencies, include the Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., the State Grid's Fushun city branch and a community in Lhasa City of Tibet.

Jia Liqun, a Beijing Children's Hospital doctor with a 36-year career in medicine, was among the 50 individuals.