Two institutions and an individual have received meritorious titles from the Central Military Commission (CMC) for their contribution to the development of the country's manned space program and strategic weapons.

A decree to this effect was recently signed by Hu Jintao, general secretary and CMC chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

One of the projects awarded is a landing station under the General Armament Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is the only unit responsible for recovering returned satellites and space vehicles. It is entitled as a "Meritorious Landing Station."

The second award went to the battalion of the Chinese PLA Secondary Artillery Force, which is awarded the title of a "Pioneer Missile Projection Battalion."

The third is Wang Yongzhi, chief designer of China's manned space program, who obtains the title of a "Meritorious Scientist for Manned Space Voyage."