Two Chinese naval pilots, including a senior tactical commander, were killed during frontline training exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on June 10, according to official local government notices and regional media reports.
One of the deceased, Senior Colonel Fang Ming, 38, served as a tactical commander in the PLA Southern Theatre Command Naval Aviation unit. The second pilot, First Lieutenant Shi Shaoyong, 25, also served under the Southern Theatre Command.
Reports indicate that Shi died during a night flight training mission. He had enlisted in the PLA Navy in 2019, qualified as a Class IV pilot, and had received a third-class merit award.
After graduating, he volunteered to serve on the South China Sea frontline and was later recognised as a martyr.
Chinese authorities have not disclosed whether the two pilots were killed in the same incident or the type of aircraft involved. Beijing has also not issued an official statement on the fatalities.
The deaths come as China continues to modernise its military and intensify training exercises aimed at improving combat readiness and adapting to the demands of modern warfare.
