On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, a solemn homecoming concluded for 12 Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who fell during the 1950–1953 War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, as their remains arrived in Northeast China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) following an official repatriation ceremony.
A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft, carrying both the 12 sets of remains and 146 personal artifacts belonging to the fallen soldiers, touched down at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province. In a powerful gesture of national respect, the Y-20B received a ceremonial military escort from four J-20 stealth fighter jets after entering Chinese airspace — a tribute that highlights the nation’s enduring gratitude for the martyrs’ sacrifice.
This repatriation marks the 14th consecutive handover completed under a collaborative agreement between China and the ROK, a cooperation that first launched in 2014. Across 13 prior handovers, the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs buried on Korean territory have been returned to their native homeland. Wednesday’s mission also carries historic significance of its own: it is the first time the domestically developed Y-20B transport aircraft has been assigned to this sacred repatriation duty, reflecting China’s ongoing commitment to honoring its fallen service members.
Decades after the end of the conflict, the handover process remains a point of consistent bilateral cooperation between the two sides, rooted in shared respect for the memory of those who lost their lives in the war. For China, the annual repatriation serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by CPV service members to protect national security and regional peace, and reinforces the nation’s pledge to never forget those who gave their lives in service.