The Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) and the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) Wednesday awarded the "Chinese Youth May Fourth Medal" to Wang Wei, a pilot who died after a mid-air collision between a US reconnaissance plane and a Chinese fighter jet he was operating on April 1.
The medal, which is the top honor for the young Chinese people, was presented to Wang's wife Ruan Guoqin, who is still in hospital, Wednesday afternoon.
The CYLC and the ACYF, the two leading organizations for young Chinese, said in the decision that Wang deserved the honor because of his outstanding achievements in the struggle to safeguard the country's sovereignty and national dignity.
The decision recalls the growth of Wang from a good student to an excellent pilot of the Chinese Navy Air Force, saying he is an example that all young people should learn from.
On the morning of April 1, a US EP-3 military reconnaissance plane flew close to China's airspace and territorial waters southeast of Hainan Island to conduct reconnaissance. Wang, a lieutenant commander who was on duty that day, flew his fighter jet under orders to follow and monitor the US plane.
The US plane, in violation of aviation rules, bumped into and destroyed Wang's plane, causing him to eject from the plane.
The navy and civilians made an all-out effort to look for Wang, but it was in vain. Wang died a hero's death.
Earlier Wang was awarded the title of "Guardian of Territorial Airspace and Waters" by the Central Military Commission (CMC), and the title of "Good Son of Huzhou People" by his hometown Huzhou in Zhejiang Province, east China.
The Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is calling on local people to learn from him.
Zhou Qiang, first secretary of the Secretariat of the CYLC Central Committee, visited Wang's wife Ruan Guoqin Wednesday.
Ruan also was consoled by members of the Central Women's Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party (Public Interest Party).
In a letter to Ruan, the committee says, "Wang is the pride of you and Chinese army personnel."
(Xinhua 04/19/2001)
