Editor's note: Lu Xia is an associate professor at the School of Marxism Studies and a research fellow at the National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Before the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding, Party committees from all over the country hold commendation meetings to grant honors to distinguished Party members for their significant service to work units and local communities and great contribution to their professional fields (together they are called liang you yi xian, or "two-outstanding-one-distinguished").

When typing the term liang you yi xian into a certain search engine, one can find that almost all the reports and stories from local news outlets are about these outstanding Party members from all walks of life. Among these are war heroes who survived a series of bloody battles that laid down the basis of the new China. 

As for our contemporaries, some are Party cell secretaries who have devoted their careers and entire lives to poverty alleviation, helping rural residents change their way of living, and environmental protection, organizing teams to carry out afforestation projects in remote areas. Other are local community leaders dedicated to maintaining social order and ensuring micro-governance of the grassroots units in order to keep the urban center functioning appropriately, especially in the fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Still others are scientists and experts contributing their lifework – though unknown to public – in key sectors and fields that are indispensable to self-reliance and strengthening of China's technology and prosperity of China's industry. 

What these people have achieved in their respective fields endowed them with the glorious honors. More importantly, what they have done is to help the Party win people's hearts with their spirit of responsibility and commitment.

In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping conferred the July 1 Medal on outstanding Party members at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 29. This was the first time that the Party solemnly commended a group of Party members who have made outstanding contributions to the Party and the people and created precious spiritual wealth.

President Xi delivered an important speech at the ceremony, in which the significance of these medal receivers' contribution to the great cause of the Party was highlighted and set as example for the entire Party members to follow.

The July 1 Medal, established by the CPC Central Committee, is the highest honor in the CPC. With red, gold and white as its main colors, it also adopts key elements such as the Party emblem, the five-pointed star, red flags, great monuments, propitious clouds and famous mountains and rivers in China. This is to be considered as the symbol to laud the glorious history of the Party and the great achievements China has scored under its leadership.

The establishment and conferring of these medals are an important part of the measures aimed at improving the honor and reward system of the Party and the nation. It serves as one of the pillars to Honor Recognition and Awarding System with Chinese characteristics.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, in order to establish the Honor Recognition and Awarding System with Chinese characteristics, the Party has attempted to initiate a program of "1 + 1 + 3." That is, the CPC Central Committee formulates a guiding document, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress formulates a law, the relevant departments formulate three merit honor recognition regulations for the Party, the state and the military, respectively.

On December 14, 2015, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee deliberated and adopted the Opinions on Establishing and Improving the Honor Recognition System for Party and State Merit, and decided to set up a committee for coordination, policy formulation and supervision, besides leading the organization responsible for relevant selection, conferring and ceremonies.

On December 27, the 18th session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress voted to adopt the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Medals and National Honorary Titles, which came into effect on January 1, 2016.

In so doing, the Chinese authority explicitly gives a strong signal to the country and the rest of the world that it shall never forget the arduous path it has taken and always value the people – no matter what post they hold – for the realization of the great cause.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)