PLA Navy's first group of female carrier aircraft pilot trainees debut at Airshow China

China

PLA Navy's first group of female carrier aircraft pilot trainees debut at Airshow China

2024-11-14 21:27 Last Updated At：11-15 00:37

The first group of female pilot trainees from the carrier-based aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy are making their first public appearance at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, in the southern coast city of Zhuhai.

At the Navy's indoor exhibition hall, a dedicated zone has been set up for naval aviator recruitment. Han Meng and Wang Mengdi, the first female carrier-based aircraft pilot trainees of the PLA Navy, are on hand to explain the recruitment policies and assist visitors in experiencing flight simulators.

It marks the first time that Airshow China has brought together female pilots from Chinese army, navy and air forces.

"This is my first time attending Airshow China, and I'm very thrilled and proud to be here and to see the PLA Navy unveiling so many new equipment as well as cutting-edge aircraft. As a naval carrier-based pilot trainee, I hope to fly these fighter jets one day in the future to safeguard our nation's vast territorial waters," said Han.

The PLA Navy's first female pilot trainees were enrolled in 2023. All of them are recent graduates from military and civilian universities, born in the 2000s.

"Becoming a naval pilot means we must land on aircraft carriers. We live and work on the carrier, and therefore we are first sailors, then pilots, and finally combatants," said Wang.

The first group of female carrier-based pilot trainees had passed their solo flight tests on basic trainer aircraft by the end of April 2024. They are currently undergoing flight training exercises on carrier-based helicopters.

Airshow China kicked off on Tuesday in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, showcasing an impressive lineup of cutting-edge military hardware while offering a glimpse into the latest achievements in the modernization of the Chinese military. The event will last through Sunday.

Global South think tanks gather in China for dialogue

2024-11-14 23:39 Last Updated At：11-15 00:17

The second Global South Think Tanks Dialogue kicked off on Thursday in east China's Nanjing, bringing together more than 400 representatives of think tanks across over 100 countries.

Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, and the China Council for BRICS Think-tank Cooperation, the event is designed to foster discussions on key themes of equality, openness and cooperation among Global South.

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized that the dialogue aims to implement President Xi Jinping's important proposal at the BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue last month, which has led to the official launch of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance on Thursday.

China is ready to work with Global South countries to uphold the spirit of independence, solidarity, justice, openness, and inclusiveness, and to jointly build a Global South community of shared future, Liu said.

The newly established Think Tanks Alliance, Liu added, will leverage its unique strengths to provide intellectual support and foster greater collaboration among Global South countries.

Foreign attendees believe the Think Tanks Alliance will serve as an important platform for strengthening communication, dialogue, and cooperation within the Global South. They also expressed their commitment to joining hands with China to implement the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi—the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative—while advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.