A memorial event marking the 25th anniversary of the sacrifice of heroic pilot Wang Wei is held at his cenotaph in Anxian Cemetery in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, on April 1, 2026. Photo: Chen Xia/GT

On Wednesday morning, gentle sunlight bathed Anxian Cemetery in suburban Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, where heroic Chinese pilot Wang Wei’s cenotaph rests amid ringed pines and cypresses. His statue and monument gleamed with renewed clarity in the sun.

In front of the monument, Global Times reporters saw bouquets and an assortment of tributes laid by visitors, including models of the J-20 and J-35 fighters, aircraft carriers, and missiles. To pay tribue to the heroric pilot, Global Times reporters also brought copies of special pages of China’ s Victory Day military parade on September 3, 2025, 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 pages contained images and analysis of a slew of advanced weapons and military equipment that were showcased during parade and highlighted the rapid rise of China’s military strength.

Copies of the Global Times’ special pages containing images and analysis of a slew of advanced weapons and military equipment that were showcased during the Victory Day military parade on September 3, 2025, and highlighted the rapid rise of China’s military strength are on display in front of heroic Chinese pilot Wang Wei’s cenotaph in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, on April 1, 2026. Photo: Chen Xia/GT

These miniature representations of China’s advanced military hardware speak a silent language by the Chinese people – one of reverence and reassurance to a hero who once guarded the skies of the motherland.

Wang, a member of the Communist Party of China, laid down his life to defend China’s territorial airspace and waters on April 1, 2001. He was born in 1968 in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. 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 the China Military Online.
  
On April 1, 2001, a US military reconnaissance aircraft entered the airspace over China’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Wang piloted his fighter upon order to track and monitor it. During the flight, the American aircraft, defying repeated warnings, suddenly changed direction and collided with Wang’s fighter jet. Failing to save the fighter jet, Wang had no choice but to parachute into the sea, China Military Online reported.

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.

A quarter of a century later, his sacrifice is still remembered. His final words to his comrades — “81192 reporting in. I cannot return. Keep going.” — still echoes in the hearts of the Chinese people.

“Writing poetry for you. This prosperous era is exactly as you wished.” A memorial event marking the 25th anniversary of the sacrifice of Wang was held Wednesday morning at his cenotaph in Anxian Cemetery. Several hundred people attended the event, including former comrade-in-arms of Wang and local residents.

At the event, Ge Hanchang, a former comrade-in-arms of Wang, paid his respects at the cenotaph and recited a poem, expressing his deep remembrance. 

Ge brought a lamp with him. “In my heart, Wang Wei is a lamp that never goes out. His spirit lights the way forward for us. Today, we're using the lights of countless homes to keep you going,” he told the Global Times. Recalling fond memories of his fallen comrade-in-arms, Ge said that Wang was talkative, had many hobbies, and was deeply responsible toward his family.

Zhou, a resident of Hangzhou and the mother of a high school girl, came to pay tribute on behalf of her daughter, a military enthusiast who has been busy with her studies since entering high school.

“Inspired by Wang Wei’s sacrifice, she hopes to pursue a career in science and technology,” Zhou told the Global Times. “Her idea was very sincere. she folded paper cranes and used her pocket money to buy flowers, asking me to come here to pay tribute on her behalf.”

On site, Global Times reporters noticed a display board with a QR code. By scanning the code, people can visit Wang’s online “personal memorial hall,” where they can leave messages of remembrance for the hero, according to the cemetery staff.

Beyond the memorial activities at Wang’s cenotaph in Anxian Cemetery, people across the country also commemorated the heroic pilot, with many taking to social media to express their respect and remembrance.

“That year, I was 19! That year, 81192, a heroic soul fell in the vast sky, and his loyal blood sprinkled over the seas. Twenty-five years later, our navy’s mighty ships stand in ranks and our warplanes fill the skies. We are still waiting for your return,” wrote a Xiaohongshu user.

“81192 – behind this number is the name of a hero: Wang Wei. On April 1, 2001, he sacrificed his life to defend national sovereignty in the airspace of the South China Sea. 25 years later, we still remember his sacrifice, and his spirit will forever inspire future generations,” another netizen wrote on Douyin.

A video published by CCTV News on Wednesday morning showed J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600 aircraft taking off an aircraft carrier, with pilots heard saying: “81192, I have catapulted and am here to escort you. Please return to base immediately. Please return to base immediately.” 

“After so many years, on this day, hearing the calls for 81192 to return still brings tears to my eyes,” read one of the most viewed comments under the CCTV News video on Sina Weibo.