- Time Period: Post-WW2 Period
- Year of Institution: 1 January 2016
- Country: China
The Order of Friendship (or 友谊勋章 in Chinese; Yǒuyì Xūnzhāng in pinyin) is, alongside the Order of the Republic, the People’s Republic of China’s highest order of honor.
It was established by law (Article 3 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on National Medals and National Honorary Titles) on December 27, 2015, by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) and constituted on January 1, 2016.
The Order of Friendship is set up by the State and bestowed on foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China’s socialist modernization, the promotion of exchange and cooperation between China and foreign countries, and the protection of world peace. It can be directly awarded to foreign dignitaries, international friends, and other foreigners. The award is given accompanied by a medal, a National Honorary Title and a certificate.
The first Friendship Medal was awarded to:
- Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, on June 8, 2018. In recognition of his commitment to promoting the development of China-Russia good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation during his presidency, and for making important contributions to this end.
- Nursultan Nazarbayev, first President of Kazakhstan, on April 28, 2019. In recognition of his creation and promotion of the China-Kazakhstan comprehensive strategic partnership, and the promotion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Mutual Cooperation and Confidence Measures in Asia to flourish.
- Raul Castro Ruth, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, on September 29, 2019. For establishing relations with China as the priority development direction of Cuban diplomacy, and firmly committed to carrying forward the friendship between Cuba and China, firmly supporting China on major issues, highly agreeing with the proposal of General Secretary Xi Jinping to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
- Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Main member of the Chakri dynasty of the Kingdom of Thailand, on September 29, 2019. For promoting Chinese traditional culture, spreading China-Thailand friendship, and making irreplaceable and outstanding contributions to the development of China-Thailand relations.
- Salim Ahmed Salim, Former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Tanzania, on September 29, 2019. For outstanding contributions to consolidating and promoting the friendly cooperation between China and Tanzania and China and Africa and restoring China’s legitimate seat in the United Nations. - Galina Vini Aminovna Kulikova, First Vice Chairman of the Russia -China Friendship Association, on September 29, 2019. For developing friendly relations with China and for outstanding contributions to the promotion of Sino-Soviet (Russian) non-governmental diplomacy.
- Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France, on September 29, 2019. For his long commitment to promoting Sino-French friendship and all-round cooperation between China and France and for vigorously promoting the “Belt and Road” project.
- Isabel Kluk, Lifetime Honorary Professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University, on September 29, 2019. For innovating in English teaching and education reform and for cultivating a large number of foreign language talents for New China, making outstanding contributions to China’s education and friendly exchanges with foreign countries.
- Norodom Monnier, Queen Mother of Cambodia, on November 6, 2020. For actively devoting herself to the cause of friendship between China and Cambodia and actively supporting exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
The Order of Friendship Design
The medal is round and made in gold and blue colors.
The obverse features the the peace dove, earth, a handshake, and a lotus. The medal hangs from a chain made of Chinese knots, evergreens, peonies, jade, and bluegrass. It’s decorated with filigree inlays and enamels.
