国内英语新闻:Xi stresses role of nat'l medals, honors in promoting socialist values

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has stressed the role of state-level medals and honorary titles in improving public virtue and contributions to the country.

Xi made the remarks in an instruction made public Wednesday on Party and national medals and honorary titles.

According to Xi, establishing and improving awards is necessary for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, boosting modern governance, and promoting core socialist values.

Xi called on scientific planning and "an accurate direction" for the award system to ensure long-term social effects, with a focus on the virtues and achievements of winners.

"Standards and procedures must be strictly followed so awards stand the test of practice, people and history," Xi said, calling for rules to ensure a fair process and authoritative results.

"We'd rather have no winner than lower the standards," Xi added.

On Wednesday, Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over the first plenary meeting of the work committee on Party and state medals and honorary titles.

Liu, head of the committee, called for establishing a mechanism in which national medals and honorary titles can be granted transparently and fairly, thus ensuring authority and credibility.

He ordered relevant organs to unveil supportive regulations and laws as soon as possible and clarify categories, qualifications and award-giving protocols for honorary titles.

China's top legislature enacted a law last December to introduce national medals and honorary titles for both citizens and foreigners.

According to the law, Medals of the Republic will be given to honor those with "great contributions and distinguished service in the country's socialist construction with Chinese characteristics and defense of the nation."

Foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's socialist modernization drive may be presented friendship medals.