A plane used by former leaders including Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping is looking for a new home.

It has been exhibited since 1996 at Beijing’s Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution. But sources there have confirmed that their planned new layout has no space for it.

The plane, a Trident, originally went on display through a deal between the museum and the Beijing Ruiyikang Technology Trade Company. But the term of this agreement expired on December 31, and the company is having difficulties finding accommodation for the 35-meter-long plane with a 30-meter wingspan.

It can still be seen in the square in front of the museum, but only from a distance, as it is no longer officially on show.

“The Military Museum has instructed us to take it away before the end of February, but up to now, we haven’t found a suitable place for it,” said Wu Sanzhong, general manager of the company.

The Trident was taken out of service when its British producer stopped manufacture in 1995, and was purchased by a company engaging in military industries, affiliated to the previous Ministry of Goods and Materials. Their initial aim was to use it in advertising, but they decided to exhibit it instead. Since then, the plane has received some 1.6 million visitors.

While stressing that he understood the museum’s decision, Wu said it would be hard to disassemble and move the plane. He has looked at a potential site in the western square of the China Millennium Monument, about a five-minute-walk from the museum. However, this has not yet been approved by the authorities.

“Once serving Chinese leaders in the 1970s, the Trident has special cultural and educational significance. I hope it can be better protected,” Wu said, adding that any individual or group interested in the plane can purchase it from his company for self-management or donation to the country. 

(The Beijing News translated by Zhang Tingting for China.org.cn, January 31, 2005)