Mother of Missing Chinese Pilot Hopes for His Safe ReturnThe 58-year-old mother of Wang Wei, a Chinese pilot who had been missing after a collision between his fighter jet and a US spy plane Sunday morning, burst into tears in hospital Thursday evening."Where are you, my son?" cried Wang Yueqin, the mother of the pilot, in a local hospital in Huzhou City, east China's province of Zhejiang. "I hope you'll return safe and sound." Wang Wei was born in Huzhou in April 1968. When he was 18, hewas recruited into an air force flying school for his good physical condition, quick reflexes and outstanding study achievements. "My son loved his army career. He wanted to be an air force pilot when he was a child," the mother said with tears in her eyes. "When the flying school came to take in students, Wang Wei was pretty happy and asked his father to sign for consent. Although we were worried about the dangers of flying, we still support him," she said. Knowing that their son parachuted from his fighter jet after it was bumped into by the U.S. spy plane, Wang Yueqin and his husband, Wang Ming, were paralyzed and rushed to a local army hospital because of high blood pressure. "My son is our lifetime pride!" the father said with tears. " Wang Wei is strikingly handsome in pilot uniform. He sent us his pictures in uniform, which were liked by our relatives and friends. " "Wang Wei is very fond of mom and dad," said Wang Lin, Wang Wei 's elder sister, who attended to her parents at the hospital. " Though he did not return home for any Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year for family reunion) after he graduated from the flying school, he called home very often and expressed his greetings to them." "Wang Wei is humorous and always make us laugh when he comes home for holidays," Wang Lin sobbed. "When can we hear his laughter again?" "I hate!" the father said with great sorrow. He sat up in the bed, his face turning red with worry and tears rolling down. "The United States always talks about human rights. Why did they bump my son into the sea? He is still missing. The United States must give us a reasonable explanation." In the ward where the Wangs stay, lots of flowers were sent to them by people to show their respect to Wang Wei and his families. Local school students telephoned in to express their will to donate for the ill parents. The provincial government also sent senior officials to express sympathy with the family. "Wang Wei is my son, and he is also the son of our motherland. He did what a soldier should do. We feel warm to know thatPresident Jiang Zemin and all the Chinese people are concerned about my son," the mother said. "What I most expect is to meet my son again!" tears burst again out of her eyes. Sources said that up to now, the Chinese navy has dispatched 74 planes, 42 warships, and over 10,000 servicemen to search for the missing pilot. The strong gales and turbulent waves on the sea have made it difficult for the rescue operation. |
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