To be awarded the China Campaign Medal, a service member must have performed military duty in China, between June 20, 1900, and May 27, 1901, with such duty being in service of the China Relief Expedition. For those service members who were cited for gallantry in action, the Citation Star is authorized as a device to the China Campaign Medal.
On the obverse is the Imperial Chinese five-toed dragon with the inscription CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION around the upper border and the dates 1900–1901 at the bottom.
Army units which received credit for campaign participation may display the streamer on the organizational flag. The inscription will be as indicated on the unit's lineage and honors.
There are three streamers displayed on the Army flag to represent the China Relief Expedition. The inscriptions are:
"China Relief Expeditionary Medal". Service Medals and Campaign Credits of the United States Navy. Naval Historical Center. 13 June 1998. Retrieved 2007-10-17.