In a historic move, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force dispatched its advanced Y-20B transport aircraft on April 20, 2026, to retrieve the remains of Chinese soldiers who fell during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. This marks the first deployment of the Y-20B for repatriation missions since its induction into service.
The 13th such repatriation effort comes as China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) continue their joint humanitarian project to return all fallen Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) soldiers. Four J-20 stealth fighters will escort the aircraft upon its return to Chinese airspace, demonstrating the nation's commitment to honoring its military heritage with modern technological prowess.
Between 1950 and 1953, some 2.9 million CPV soldiers crossed the Yalu River to assist the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), with over 360,000 casualties recorded. Since 2014, 913 sets of remains have been returned through bilateral cooperation between Beijing and Seoul.
This year's solemn ceremony in the ROK coincided with renewed calls for preserving regional peace, as both nations prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of the armistice that halted active combat operations. The repatriation process has become a recurring symbol of reconciliation, attracting attention from historians and diplomatic observers across Asia.
