Rules will organize honors for devotion

The CPC Central Committee has approved and adopted a group of regulations to establish a comprehensive commendation system for meritorious service for the Party, nation and military.

The documents include regulations on commendations for meritorious service and honors, as well as rules to award certain medals of honor, according to an official release issued on Thursday.

China also will set up books of meritorious deeds for the Party, country and military and build up a unified, standard and authoritative commendation system, the release said.

In the newly established system, the Medal of the Republic, the nation's supreme honor, will be given to distinguished people who make great contributions to the cause of the Party, the state and the people. It will be decided by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and signed by the president, according to the constitution.

The July 1 Medal, the highest honor inside the Party, will be awarded to CPC members who make outstanding contributions to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and Party building.

The August 1 Medal is designed for military personnel who make outstanding contributions in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and promoting modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

The Friendship Medal will be granted to foreigners who make great contributions to China's construction, China's exchanges with the outside world and safeguarding world peace. National honorary titles will be awarded to distinguished people who have made great contributions.

The medals and honorary titles will be granted regularly, but they can also be awarded in exceptional circumstances. The president can give the Friendship Medal to foreign dignitaries and international friends during state visits or events.

The regulations were produced by a commission for the Party and State's meritorious service and honor commendations. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made several important instructions, expecting it to build up a social atmosphere of admiring heroes and seeking to be pioneers.

The first August 1 Medals will be issued before the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the PLA on Tuesday.