Wang Wei (pilot)
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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 jet hit (or was hit by) 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. [1]
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 [2]. 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. [citation needed]
