On Friday, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, one of China’s busiest aviation hubs, held an unveiling ceremony for a full-scale replica of China’s first domestically built airplane at its Terminal 2. Named the “Wing Can”, this new installation honors the groundbreaking legacy of Feng Ru, a pioneering aviation engineer from Guangdong Province who designed and constructed the original aircraft in 1909.
Feng Ru, who is widely recognized as the father of Chinese aviation, achieved the historic feat of building and flying China’s first powered airplane more than a century ago, laying the early ideological and technical groundwork for the country’s modern aviation industry. Born in 1884, Feng Ru passed away at a young age in 1912, but his contributions to Chinese aerospace innovation have never been forgotten.
In an official statement released following the unveiling, airport officials framed the new replica as more than a historical monument. The installation is described as a lasting symbol of exploratory ambition, cross-continental connection, and forward momentum, carrying the auspicious cultural connotation of a nation reaching new heights and rising with opportunity. The statement added that the exhibit underscores the unwavering lofty aspirations and pioneering spirit of China’s broader aviation sector, which continues to pursue groundbreaking technological breakthroughs and chart new courses for global connectivity in the modern era. For passengers passing through one of China’s most central travel hubs, the replica offers a tangible connection to the 100-plus-year history of Chinese aviation innovation.