In early 2011, a mysterious virus dubbed "negative AIDS" caused panic after some patients claimed the infection caused AIDS-like symptoms, despite blood tests showing they were HIV negative.

Zhong promptly organized a panel of experts and set about to observe and research the patients. The mysterious virus turned out to have a simple explanation: AIDS phobia.

For decades, Zhong has also taught. His students span the country. In 2010, in order to reform medical education and cultivate more medical talent, Zhong interviewed and selected students for a 32-student "Nanshan class." Zhong worked as head teacher. The small class aimed to provide more hands-on training, student-teacher interaction and international perspective than the average course. Chinese medical students are often taught in big groups and seldom get the chance to engage in clinical practice.

"I hope that all of you can have more contact with patients from the very beginning. We should make ourselves practical and innovative, not just fluent English-speakers who work as high-ranking employees in foreign laboratories," Zhong said, speaking at the course's opening ceremony.

Zhong's attitude left a deep impression on his colleagues. "What impresses me most is his double-tube stethoscope. Compared with other portable ones, it's much heavier, but it works more precisely, so Mr. Zhong carries it with him wherever he goes," said Li Huiling, a post-doctorate fellow at the respiratory diseases research center in Guangzhou.

Even at 74, Zhong still leads the way in the medical field. "It's not unusual that many elite in our field are not CPC members, but CPC members must be elite." Zhong said. He spends nearly all his time saving patients and teaching students.