When a Chinese soldier wins a merit award, the army and the local government deliver a xibao, a letter of good news, to the soldier’s family. In January 2021, People’s Daily described one such delivery. “A delegation from the military and local departments carried banners, beat drums and gongs and set off firecrackers to bring the good news to Liu Menghai’s home. Neighbors formed waist-drum and yangge dance teams to come and congratulate.”
The same article describes the usual form: drums and gongs, banners, a sash and a large red flower for the soldier’s relatives, and a group photo.