China has remained silent over the deaths of two People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy pilots, including a high-ranking tactical commander, who were killed during frontline flight training exercises last month, according to media reports.
Beijing, which rarely discloses military fatalities, has not issued any official statement on the deaths. It is also unclear whether the two pilots died in the same incident or while flying the same aircraft, the South China Morning Post reported, citing regional government notices and local media reports.
One of the deceased, Senior Colonel Fang Ming, served as a tactical commander with the PLA Southern Theatre Command's Naval Aviation unit. According to a report by Hefei Daily, Fang died while carrying out flight training on June 10.
A video released by the Lujiang local government confirmed the date of his death and showed that authorities held a memorial service for him on July 3. It was attended by more than 200 people, including personnel from his unit.
The Political Work Department of the Southern Theatre Command Naval Aviation unit recognised Fang as a "martyr." He had earlier been awarded a third-class merit in 2018 and a second-class merit in 2022 for combat readiness and training.
Remembering Fang, his former colleague Xia Yong said in a video post, "His aspiration was to defend our country's skies and seas. Whether in daily training or while carrying out operational missions, he always volunteered to take the lead."
The second pilot, First Lieutenant Shi Shaoyong, 25, also belonged to the Southern Theatre Command and died on June 10 during a night flight training mission, according to an inscription on his tombstone shared by the Yishui government.
Shi served with Unit 91911 under the Southern Theatre Command Naval Aviation division. After graduating, he volunteered to serve on the South China Sea front line and was also recognised as a "martyr" during his memorial service. Local outlet Linyi News reported that he enlisted in 2019, was a Class IV pilot, and had received a third-class merit.
