Report: Two Chinese Military Pilots Die in Training, Beijing Silent
Two Chinese military pilots died on June 10 during separate training missions conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command, according to local government memorial notices reported by the South China Morning Post. The pilots included a senior tactical commander, Senior Colonel Fang Ming, who served in the naval aviation unit. The other pilot has not been named.
The memorial notices were issued by the pilots’ hometown governments, but no official announcement has been made by Beijing or the PLA. Chinese authorities have not disclosed the circumstances of the accidents, whether the pilots were flying together, or the type of aircraft involved.
The deaths come as China intensifies combat training and modernises its military capabilities amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and across the Taiwan Strait. The Southern Theatre Command plays a key operational role in these regions.
Military accidents during training are not uncommon globally, but the absence of an official statement from Beijing has attracted attention. The PLA has occasionally reported training fatalities in the past, but this incident appears to have been handled through local channels only.
The report did not specify if any investigation has been launched. The PLA Southern Theatre Command, headquartered in Guangzhou, oversees forces in the South China Sea and along the border with Vietnam.
China has been expanding its naval and air capabilities, including the development of new aircraft and carrier-based operations. The frequency of training exercises has increased in recent years, according to defence analysts. The families of the deceased have been informed, according to the local notices. The incident highlights the risks inherent in military aviation training.
