MKsport a heroic People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy pilot who sacrificed his life defending China's airspace during a 2001 collision with a US reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on March 29, 2025. Photo: VCG" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-03-31/fd70ef3a-17e2-412c-bb26-51bd626c94f7.jpeg" />

Primary school students lay flowers at the tomb of Wang Wei, a heroic People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy pilot who sacrificed his life defending China's airspace during a 2001 collision with a US reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on March 29, 2025. Photo: VCG

 

"81192, please return!" Wang Wei, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy pilot who died defending China's airspace during a 2001 collision with a US reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, is still remembered today, 24 years after the incident, by the Chinese people.

Commemorating Wang has become a ritual-like event for many Chinese people around April 1 every year, the anniversary of Wang's ultimate sacrifice. A Chinese military affairs expert said on Monday that Wang's heroic spirit must be carried on while China continues to make strides in military equipment development.

Flower bouquets and scale models of China's latest warplanes were placed densely in front of Wang's tomb in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on Monday, marking the eve of the 24th anniversary of his sacrifice, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

The CCTV report showed scale models of the J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters, along with the J-15 carrier-based jet, used to honor Wang. In addition, there were two pieces of artworks showing what are widely believed to be two of China's sixth-generation fighter jets. One of them depicted an alleged sixth-generation fighter jet escorting Wang's aircraft, while the other depicted another type of alleged sixth-generation fighter jet flying over the mountains.

Two pieces of artworks are placed in front of Wang Wei's tomb in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on March 31, 2025. The artworks show what are widely believed to be two of China's sixth-generation fighter jets. One of them depicts an alleged sixth-generation fighter jet escorting Wang's aircraft, while the other depicts another type of alleged sixth-generation fighter jet flying over the mountains. Photo: Snapshot from video clip released by CCTV

While not officially announced, the two new-type warplanes have been spotted by locals in the sky during their test flights, with videos and photos circulating on social platforms since December 2024. 

Approximately 30 new recruits assigned to the Zhejiang Corps of Chinese People's Armed Police force visited Wang's tomb on Monday, cleaned the surroundings and laid flower bouquets to pay their respects, CCTV reported.

Ge Hanchang, a comrade-in-arms of Wang, visited Wang's tomb, local media Hangzhou Primary Channel reported on Sunday. "When Wang was flying, every one of his maneuvers was executed to the highest degree. He asked his instructor every time he returned to the ground, 'Did I fly well? Is there anything I could do better?' He was a rigorous man," Ge said.

Wang's spirts of not being afraid of sacrifice, daring to stand against the enemy,  patriotism and revolutionary heroism must be carried on, Ge said.

Many students also laid fresh flowers. Hangzhou Primary Channel quoted student Zhang Chenyu as saying, "Wang's move of defending the motherland's blue sky at the cost of his life is worth our respect and praise. I want to be just like him when I grow up, being able to safeguard the country."

Every year, people across the country pay tribute to Wang on the anniversary. The call sign of Wang's aircraft "81192" is remembered by many.

Wang was born in 1968 in Huzhou, Zhejiang. He was the first-class pilot and the squadron leader of an aviation regiment of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, according to China Military Online, an official military news website of the Chinese Armed Forces.

On April 1, 2001, a US military reconnaissance aircraft entered the airspace over China's Exclusive Economic Zone. Wang piloted his fighter jet upon order to track and monitor it. During the flight, the US aircraft, defying repeated warnings, suddenly changed direction and collided with Wang's fighter jet. Wang had no choice but to parachute into the sea.

The country launched a massive search for Wang, mobilizing more than 100,000 military and civilian rescuers despite the harsh environment and complicated weather on the sea. They searched for 14 days and nights, but their efforts didn't bring Wang back. He was confirmed dead at the age of 33.

On April 18, 2001, the Central Committee of the Communist Young League of China and the All-China Youth Federation conferred posthumously Wang with the "May 4th Medal." On April 24, the Central Military Commission awarded Wang the honorary title of "Guardian of Territorial Airspace and Waters" and the Medal of First-Class Hero and Model, China Military Online reported.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Monday that, at that time, China's aviation weapons and equipment were not considered advanced. Despite this, Wang displayed a spirit of not being afraid of death and carrying out "aerial bayonet" close-range combat, aiming to drive the foreign aircraft that threatened China's national security away.

Wang's J-8II used to be China's main combat fighter jet, but now China has advanced warplanes such as the J-20. Tragedy might not have happened today if the more advanced warplanes were in operation on that fateful day. Even so, Wang's heroic spirit must be carried on, and use next generations of weapons to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as security at sea and in the air, Fu said.