The remains of 30 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) soldiers who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea were returned to China on Friday from the Republic of Korea (ROK).
A Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft, carrying the remains of the martyrs and 267 items of related artifacts, landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.
After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20 transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. Upon landing at the airport, it was given a water salute. The honor guard lined up to escort the caskets bearing the remains of the 30 CPV martyrs as they were carried off the aircraft.
A solemn repatriation ceremony followed, during which all those present bowed three times in tribute to the martyrs.
"In this significant year marking the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers Army's heroic participation in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, we solemnly welcome home the 12th batch of CPV martyrs' remains from the ROK with the highest honors, allowing their souls to rest in the embrace of the motherland and its people," said Li Jingxian, deputy director-general of the Department for Honoring War Veterans and Martyrs at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
Citizens gathered along the route, waving national flags and holding banners to pay tribute to the heroes.
"Today, we welcome the martyrs back home alongside the national flag. I couldn't hold back my tears, filled with both deep respect for the martyrs and heartfelt pride in our country's growing strength. My sense of mission as a Chinese has become stronger, and I will learn from the spirit of those CPV heroes, to face challenges, and keep moving forward," said a student at Pui Kiu Middle School in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
"Today, you heroes have returned home. Take a good look at the beautiful landscapes of the motherland and the happy lives of the people. You may now rest in peace -- the motherland has not forgotten you, and the people have not forgotten you," said Nan Qixiang, a CPV veteran.
The burial ceremony for the remains of the CPV martyrs will take place on Saturday morning at the Shenyang Cemetery for Martyrs of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.
As of this date, in accordance with international laws and humanitarian principles, China and the ROK have completed such handovers for 12 consecutive years, which involved the remains of 1,011 CPV martyrs in the ROK, along with related artifacts.
Remains of 30 Chinese martyrs in Korean War returned to homeland from ROK
Foreign diplomats and scholars are looking closely at this year's "two sessions", saying China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will not only chart the nation's economic and technological priorities but also reshape global value chains.
The fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation's top political advisory body, opened on Wednesday, followed by the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday. Together known as the "two sessions," these meetings offer a comprehensive view into China's development priorities.
Global observers emphasized that the 15th Five-Year Plan, a blueprint guiding the nation's economic, social, and technological priorities over the next five years, marks a decisive shift toward high‑quality growth anchored in advanced technologies, with ripple effects across the world.
"The two sessions will discuss China's five-year plan, which is heavily oriented toward China's major technological development. I believe this is important because it represents the new blueprint for China's economy, which is now oriented toward the renowned high-quality development, and this will undoubtedly impact the entire world. I think it is worth studying. This is very important for Latin America. It will help us integrate more intelligently into global value chains and into all aspects of the major development that China is promoting in iconic industrial sectors, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space development, where Latin America also has much to contribute beyond just commercial growth," said Gustavo Sabino Vaca Narvaja, former Argentine Ambassador to China.
"The two sessions are a major political milestone in China, and this year's gathering carries even greater significance as this year marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. This plan represents not only a blueprint for China, but also a guide for other countries. Instruments like the five-year plan effectively provide greater certainty and predictability for the rest of the world," said Chilean scholar of international relations Ignacio Araya Heredia.
"This is a particularly important date, especially due to the fact that the next Five-Year Plan shall be positioned and we're going to see what its main elements shall be. Serbia, which has a very high degree of steel friendship with the People's Republic of China, can expect further assistance in identifying the most prominent areas of Serbian economy and being helped by its great partner, such as it has been done in the previous period, from one part with establishing the main infrastructure projects, but also reshaping the industrial sector of Serbia, not just Serbia, but the region as a whole," said Veljko Mijuskovic, assistant professor of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Belgrade.
Beyond the policy framework, experts also pointed to China's achievements in green energy and technological innovation as models worth emulating.
Tomasz Bielinski, adjunct professor at the University of Gdansk's Faculty of Economics, said the robotics displays at the 2026 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala reflected China's broader push in technological innovation.
"I was really impressed about the robotics. I'm very impressed with Chinese development in the technological field, we can still make great deals with Chinese businessmen and we can cooperate together to use this technology for both the good of China and the European Union. I'm aware of the innovation especially in autonomous drive on the on the Chinese side," he said.
"We hope for more of China's economic cooperation, especially in trade and also in investment. Also, and the other focus, if I talk about the focus of the development, don't forget about the green energy. We know that China is great in the electric vehicle field. So because China's electric vehicles in Indonesia nowadays, since couple of years ago, are very, very popular," said Al Busyra Basnur, president of the Indonesia-China Friendship Association.
Observers see China's new five-year plan driving high-quality development, global tech shifts
