To establish a set of merit award system plays an important role in the political，social and cultural constructions with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Entering the new age，the Central Committee of CPC and the State Council put forward implementing the strategy of building up the strength of the country with talented people，put more emphasis on the functions of various award systems，and take “establishing state award system” as an essential part of the talent incentive mechanism in China. This article makes a systemic analysis of the evolution of Chinese merit award system，categories since the founding of the honor system，and render some in-depth thinking on the issues，such as the characteristics of the state merit award system，the accreditation，incentive design，the effects，preventive of any alienation of the title of “national medal”，avoidance of the problem of the “National Medal” with the title “official standard”，the diversity of the state award system.