On Friday morning, after the Y-20 aircraft carrying the remains of the 12th batch of CPV martyrs from South Korea entered Chinese airspace, it was for the first time escorted in a “five-aircraft formation” by four J-20 fighter jets, according to the CCTV News.
The Y-20 flew under the call sign “Kuaijiang 50” to commemorate the Chinese People’s Volunteers who, in 1950, crossed the Yalu River with great resolve to resist US aggression and aid Korea in defense of the homeland, the media report said.
The four escorting J-20s used the call sign “Triumphant Return,” signifying the heroic martyrs’ honored homecoming under the protection of the air force, and symbolizing China’s eternal remembrance of the great victory in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.
Inside the Y-20 cabin, a solemn broadcast was delivered: “Though laid to rest on foreign soil, the motherland has long awaited the return of her heroes. More than 70 years ago, the martyrs of the CPVs shed their blood and gave their lives for the nation, writing a magnificent epic and building an immortal monument. Dear martyrs, the motherland has not forgotten you, the people have not forgotten you, history has not forgotten you. Today, we carry with us the expectations of the nation and the people, as well as the longing of your families and comrades, to welcome you home. We salute our heroes!”
China and South Korea jointly held a ceremony at Incheon International Airport for the handover of the remains of 30 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. All attendees at the ceremony bowed three times in deep mourning and profound respect. Honor guards escorted the caskets onto a Chinese PLA Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft to be flown back to China.
Since 2014, China and South Korea have conducted 12 consecutive handover ceremonies, returning the remains of 1,011 CPV martyrs. This time, South Korea handed over the remains of 30 martyrs and 267 personal belongings, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea said in an article on Friday.
This cooperation, carrying special significance, reflects the shared will of both sides to transcend historical barriers and foster a peaceful and friendly future. China expressed its appreciation and gratitude to South Korea for its active assistance based on friendship and humanitarianism, the embassy said.
For the first time, a “five-aircraft formation” was used to welcome the heroes home. The mission of repatriating the 12th batch of remains of CPV martyrs from South Korea was once again carried out by China’s domestically developed Y-20 military transport aircraft. Upon entering Chinese airspace, it was escorted for the first time in a “five-aircraft formation,” accompanied by four J-20 fighter jets, according to the CCTV News.
The dedicated apron at Shenyang Taoxian International Airport served as the venue for the ceremony welcoming home the 12th batch of remains of Chinese People’s Volunteer martyrs from South Korea.
As the special plane taxied past the terminal building, two fire trucks sprayed twin streams of water to form a spectacular “water gate.” This highest courtesy in civil aviation, known as the “water salute,” was used to honor the heroes and symbolically “wash away the dust” from their long journey home.
According to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, DNA information from the remains of the previous 11 batches of martyrs repatriated to China has been fully extracted and entered into the database, CCTV News said.
In April this year, the identities of eight martyrs were finally confirmed, and today, their families also attended the homecoming ceremony, according to media report.