Fighter pilot Wang Wei was killed because his parachute did not open in time as he tried to escape his aircraft, according to military sources. Photo: Baidu
Fighter pilot Wang Wei was killed because his parachute did not open in time as he tried to escape his aircraft, according to military sources. Photo: Baidu
US-China relations
China /  Diplomacy

How a mid-air collision near Hainan 18 years ago spurred China’s military modernisation

  • Chinese fighter pilot Wang Wei died after his jet collided with a US spy plane near the island in 2001
  • Incident ‘set off many changes’ for the PLA – especially for air force and navy

Minnie Chan
Minnie Chan

Updated: 5:42am, 3 Apr, 2019

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Fighter pilot Wang Wei was killed because his parachute did not open in time as he tried to escape his aircraft, according to military sources. Photo: Baidu
Fighter pilot Wang Wei was killed because his parachute did not open in time as he tried to escape his aircraft, according to military sources. Photo: Baidu
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