Yao Jiusui (left), mother of PLA martyr Chen Xiangrong, and Ruan Guoqin, wife of Chinese martyr pilot Wang Wei, pose for a photo at the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: People's Daily's WeChat account

As the aerial formation flew over Tian'anmen Square during the grand gathering marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the wife of Chinese pilot 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 — Ruan Guoqin, lifted his photo toward the sky from the viewing platform.

"Wang Wei, today I bring you to the China's V-Day military parade. Do you see it?" Ruan was also quoted by CCTV News as saying. 

On April 1, 2001, the US military reconnaissance plane entered China's South China Sea airspace without authorization, and two Chinese military aircraft were dispatched to track and intercept the US warplane. In the process, PLA Navy pilot Wang's J-8II fighter jet collided with the US plane above China's exclusive economic zone southeast of Hainan Island. Wang went missing and was later confirmed dead.

Wang once told his wife that his greatest wish was to take off from an aircraft carrier in a fighter jet. Now, his comrades-in-arms have fulfilled that dream. His wife called out loudly: "Wang Wei, you've reunited with your comrades again!"

Many netizens flocked to the comments section with messages such as: "Calling 81192 again, please return!" — a reference to the call sign of Wang's aircraft, 81192.

Also attending the V-Day military parade on Wednesday is the mother of PLA martyr Chen Xiangrong, Yao Jiusui, according to a post on the People's Daily Wechat account on Thursday. 

Yao said that looking at the rows of soldiers in the square reminded her of her son and that they were very honorable and brave. "Being here to watch the military parade on September 3 on your behalf is making mom so proud," Yao said, per the People's Daily post. 

Chen was born in 2001 and joined the PLA in September 2019. In June 2020, during a border clash, Chen, who was not yet 19, fought bravely and sacrificed his life. In 2021, the Central Military Commission posthumously awarded him first-class merit.

"Heroes never go away. This time, the martyrs and their comrades gather again in the capital of the motherland. Their love for the motherland and the people will always guide us forward," read the People's Daily post.