Pilots' aspirations

Wei Xing, a bomber pilot from the PLA Air Force, said he will fly his aircraft as part of a bomber formation during the coming parade.

"Flying in a parade is quite challenging — it requires skill, full attention, flawless teamwork and quick responsiveness. It is a test of how well your daily training has prepared you," said Wei, one of the Air Force's elite bomber aviators and commander of a bomber regiment.

"To better prepare for each flight, we have made detailed plans covering every flight maneuver, and we do extensive ground training. Up in the air, the entire crew must work closely to ensure the mission is accomplished smoothly," he explained.

Participating in the parade will help pilots like Wei improve their airmanship and strengthen overall operational capability.

"In the past, the Chinese military didn't have advanced weaponry, but Chinese soldiers never succumbed to challenges and hardship. Now, with cutting-edge hardware, we, today's service members, will march toward victory confidently and proudly," the pilot said.

Kang Kai, a female fighter aviator with the Air Force, said that flying a domestically built, advanced fighter in the parade is not only a personal honor but also a chance to fulfill a commitment she made 13 years ago to her predecessors.

"In March 1952, 14 female pilots from the Air Force, the first Chinese women trained to fly since the founding of New China in 1949, operated six transport planes to fly through Tian'anmen Square. The event was witnessed by Chairman Mao Zedong and other top leaders. In 2012, the Central Military Commission held a massive ceremony in Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of their historic flight, and I was honored to attend it," she recalled.

During the event, some of the first 14 female aviators shared stories and memories about flying in the Air Force, especially the March 1952 flight over Tian'anmen Square, Kang said.

"Their eyes filled with tears when recalling that once-in-a-lifetime moment. They were old, with gray hair, yet full of energy and enthusiasm as they remembered that glorious morning. It was like they had returned to their youth and the years of struggle to realize their dreams."

On learning that Kang was from the newest batch of female pilots at that time, some of the first women fliers held her hands and said, "You young girls were born in a good era and have such a good opportunity to operate advanced aircraft. You must work hard and earn new honor for generations of female aviators."

Kang said, "I promised I would do my best to serve the motherland."

According to Kang, the unit she serves with has been undergoing extensive transformation for the past two years in terms of hardware and training standards.

"The new combat plane poses demanding challenges to female aviators. I spared no effort to exercise my body and hone my flight skills, and successfully passed stringent tests to qualify for the new jet. This will be my first parade, and it is a great honor to fly the Air Force's combat jet, undergo inspection by the country and its people and demonstrate the strength of new-generation female pilots," Kang said.