The first group of female pilot trainees from the carrier-based aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy are making their first public appearance at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, in the southern coast city of Zhuhai.
At the Navy's indoor exhibition hall, a dedicated zone has been set up for naval aviator recruitment. Han Meng and Wang Mengdi, the first female carrier-based aircraft pilot trainees of the PLA Navy, are on hand to explain the recruitment policies and assist visitors in experiencing flight simulators.
It marks the first time that Airshow China has brought together female pilots from Chinese army, navy and air forces.
"This is my first time attending Airshow China, and I'm very thrilled and proud to be here and to see the PLA Navy unveiling so many new equipment as well as cutting-edge aircraft. As a naval carrier-based pilot trainee, I hope to fly these fighter jets one day in the future to safeguard our nation's vast territorial waters," said Han.
The PLA Navy's first female pilot trainees were enrolled in 2023. All of them are recent graduates from military and civilian universities, born in the 2000s.
"Becoming a naval pilot means we must land on aircraft carriers. We live and work on the carrier, and therefore we are first sailors, then pilots, and finally combatants," said Wang.
The first group of female carrier-based pilot trainees had passed their solo flight tests on basic trainer aircraft by the end of April 2024. They are currently undergoing flight training exercises on carrier-based helicopters.
Airshow China kicked off on Tuesday in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, showcasing an impressive lineup of cutting-edge military hardware while offering a glimpse into the latest achievements in the modernization of the Chinese military. The event will last through Sunday.
PLA Navy's first group of female carrier aircraft pilot trainees debut at Airshow China
PLA Navy's first group of female carrier aircraft pilot trainees debut at Airshow China
China and Germany, as major countries, should shoulder their responsibilities, uphold mutual respect, transcend differences in social systems, historical backgrounds and cultures, and build a more mature model of positive interaction and a more stable bilateral policy framework, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday in Beijing.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul that it is hoped that Germany will view China's development as an opportunity for deeper cooperation and a driving force for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and work together to promote the steady and healthy development of the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership.
Noting that this is the first visit to China by a German foreign minister since the formation of Germany's new government -- though the visit has encountered twists and turns -- Wang quoted a Chinese saying: "Good things come to those who wait." He emphasized that "the timing is not the key; what truly matters is the purpose. The visit should be for cooperation, not confrontation; for enhancing mutual understanding and trust, not widening differences."
Wang further urged Germany to encourage the EU to return to a rational and pragmatic China policy, adhere to the correct direction of mutually beneficial cooperation, resolve differences through dialogue, and avoid politicizing economic issues, instrumentalizing trade issues, or securitizing normal cooperation.
Wang emphasized that the one-China principle serves as an important political foundation for China-Germany relations, and there is no room for ambiguity. He further noted that unlike Germany, Japan has yet to conduct a thorough reflection on its history of aggression in the eight decades since the end of WWII.
Wadephul said that in the face of a turbulent global landscape, Germany and China need to shoulder special responsibilities, strengthen communication and coordination, and become reliable and predictable partners for each other.
He said that Germany remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, and this position is unwavering.
German enterprises in China have full confidence in the Chinese market and are willing to further deepen their presence in the country, Wadephul said, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in seeking mutual benefit and win-win outcomes through dialogue and stands ready to play a constructive role in this regard.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Wadephul elaborated on Germany's position and expressed hope that China would leverage its influence to help bring about an early end to the crisis.
Wang reaffirmed China's consistent stance, emphasizing that all parties should cherish the current momentum for a political settlement, work towards the same goal, and ultimately reach a fair, durable and binding peace agreement through dialogue and negotiations.
China supports all efforts conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, Wang added.
Chinese FM calls on China, Germany to shoulder responsibilities as major countries for more stable bilateral policy framework
