BEIJING - China's first regulations on military awards and commendations will go into effect on Aug. 1.

The rules stipulate that the number of awards and commendations should be controlled and awarded based on improvement of combat abilities, the People's Daily reported Monday.

The regulations are meant to consolidate rules on awards and commendations, which were previously contained in multiple documents, according to the report.

Complaints about the large number of awards and commendations given have also been a factor leading to the rules, according to the report.

The new rules stress that more awards and commendations should be offered to combat troops, major operations and troops serving in remote areas or places where life is difficult.

The regulations were jointly written by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) general departments of staff, politics, logistics and armament and endorsed by Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The new rules are applicable to both the PLA and the nation's armed police, according to the rules.

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