BEIJING, June 12 -- China has established its highest military award, the Order of August 1 (Bayi). The selection process for the first batch of winners has begun.

Approved by the Central Military Commission, the Order of August 1 will be awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests, and advancing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

A list of 17 candidates nominated by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the armed police force and public security force have been made public to receive comments both from the military and the general public.

Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng, commander of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, is among the 17 candidates.

August 1 is the founding anniversary of the PLA.