Luo Yang, president and general manager of Shenyang Aircraft Corp, died of a heart attack on Sunday. Just 10 hours before his death, J-15 jets completed their successful landing on China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.

This sad news shocked many people, as Luo Yang was the core figure in charge of researching and developing the J-15 carrier-based fighter jets. People were saddened by his death, and also deeply moved by his spirit.

Luo's death gives us a chance to reexamine the Liaoning and its carrier-based fighter jet.

We have long viewed China's advanced defense hardware through data and investment figures. We rarely think about the research team behind it.

Luo's death reminds us that there would be no national defense modernization without a devoted group of people and their contributions. Money cannot buy top technology, especially top defense technology.

China needs brilliant figures such as Qian Xuesen, who spearheaded the country's drive in the fields of atomic and hydrogen bombs and man-made satellites.

Present-day China is very open and prosperous. However, scientists in the field of national defense have shared little of this recognition.

Patriotism has inspired generations of scientific and technical workers in the field of national defense. Luo Yang was also nurtured by Chinese traditional values.

Luo is typical of a leading figure in military fields. He is not special. Even his death from a heart attack is not an isolated case in China's scientific research teams.

It is precisely because Luo was not special that we are so shocked.

Luo shows us that there is a huge group of unknown people who work extremely hard and come under great pressure. But most of them are destined to be unknown individuals in the great process of China's rise.

In present-day society, many people are tired of their jobs because of the lack of recognition or low income. However, scientific and technical workers in national defense can always be happy and proud of China's military progress.

Luo led his group into making many key technological breakthroughs in carrier-based fighter jets.

There are many groups like Luo's in fields of national defense. Their joint efforts have promoted the development of China's strength in national defense.

Luo and his group embody the spirit of patriotism and dedication shown by these workers.

Many Web users have called for citizens to give a salute to Luo Yang before officials make a response. This reflects people's sincere respect for Luo, as well as a kind of reassessment of the spirit.

This spirit has helped China pull itself out of extreme poverty and make today's achievements. This spirit is still alive.