Spaceflight Exploit Medal

The Spaceflight Merit Medal is a medal awarded to astronauts by the People’s Republic of China. The medal is awarded by decision of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission. It was established on November 7, 2003, pursuant to the “Decision of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission on conferring on Comrade Yang Liwei the honorary title of ‘Space Hero’ and awarding him the ‘Spaceflight Merit Medal.’” From October 1, 2012, the Spaceflight Merit Medal was divided into three grades, designated First Class, Second Class, and Third Class (a Special Class medal was later also introduced).