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| '''Wang Wei''' ({{zh-stp|s=王伟|t=王偉|p=Wáng Wěi}}) (], ] - ], ]) was a pilot in the ] whose ] fighter |
'''Wang Wei''' ({{zh-stp|s=王伟|t=王偉|p=Wáng Wěi}}) (], ] - ], ]) was a pilot in the ] whose ] fighter collided with the wing of an ] ] surveillance plane about seventy miles off the coast of the Chinese island of ]. Wang ejected from the plane and was killed. The incident ended when the American government said it was 'very sorry' for the loss of Wang Wei and the ]. | ||
| The Chinese claimed the U.S. surveillance plane rammed Wang's fighter, while the Americans claimed Wang flew dangerously close to the slower and less maneuverable reconnaissance plane. | The Chinese claimed the U.S. surveillance plane rammed Wang's fighter, while the Americans claimed Wang flew dangerously close to the slower and less maneuverable reconnaissance plane. | ||
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| On ], the Chinese government ended its 83,000 kilometer search for the 32-year old pilot, declaring him missing and presumed dead. Later that day, a Navy Committee of the ] declared him a martyr. He is viewed as a hero in and by the ]. {{fact}} | On ], the Chinese government ended its 83,000 kilometer search for the 32-year old pilot, declaring him missing and presumed dead. Later that day, a Navy Committee of the ] declared him a martyr. He is viewed as a hero in and by the ]. {{fact}} | ||
| ==Wrong Way== | |||
| Wang Wei in English can sound very much like ''Wrong Way''; humourous to some considering the PRC pilot killed himself by crashing his jet fighter into the slow-moving propellor plane. Talk show comics, such as ], played on this joke at the time. Wang Wei also came to be nominated for a ] because of his exploits. | |||
| Some Chinese took offense to this poking fun at his name; also fearing it was part of a larger backlash. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 21:26, 25 November 2006
Wang Wei (simplified Chinese: 王伟; traditional Chinese: 王偉; pinyin: Wáng Wěi) (April 6, 1968 - April 1, 2001) was a pilot in the People's Liberation Army Air Force whose Shenyang J-8 fighter collided with the wing of an American EP-3E surveillance plane about seventy miles off the coast of the Chinese island of Hainan. Wang ejected from the plane and was killed. The incident ended when the American government said it was 'very sorry' for the loss of Wang Wei and the Hainan Island incident.
The Chinese claimed the U.S. surveillance plane rammed Wang's fighter, while the Americans claimed Wang flew dangerously close to the slower and less maneuverable reconnaissance plane.
The EP-3 was, by American admission, conducting reconnaissance aimed at Chinese territory . EP-3s constantly make such flights very close to autonomous countries while claiming to stay in international waters. This is seen by many countries as a violation of their sovereignty. Since neither country ever formally agreed on which plane struck first, what really happened that day remains a mystery.
On April 14, the Chinese government ended its 83,000 kilometer search for the 32-year old pilot, declaring him missing and presumed dead. Later that day, a Navy Committee of the Communist Party of China declared him a martyr. He is viewed as a hero in and by the People's Republic of China.
Wrong Way
Wang Wei in English can sound very much like Wrong Way; humourous to some considering the PRC pilot killed himself by crashing his jet fighter into the slow-moving propellor plane. Talk show comics, such as Bill Maher, played on this joke at the time. Wang Wei also came to be nominated for a Darwin Award because of his exploits.
Some Chinese took offense to this poking fun at his name; also fearing it was part of a larger backlash.