The Chinese People's Liberation army has set up an award for military technicians in a bid to improve competence in battle.
An official from the Central Military Commission said that it is the first such award ever offered in the Chinese army, and is expected to help modernization of the armed forces and encourage military technicians to contribute to national defense.
April 21's Liberation Army Daily reported that the award will go to military technicians who have made major technical innovations, solved ongoing technical problems, helped achieve military, economic and social benefits, and played important roles in carrying out the mission of the military.
The award will be given every three years, said the paper.