Yu, from Chongzhou in the southwestern province of Sichuan, joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force in 2005, reports said. She graduated from training four years later, one of the first 16 Chinese women pilots qualified to fly fighter jets, the China Daily said, and in July 2012 was the first woman to fly the J-10. "It means the air force has diversified its pilot pool and can recruit more female pilots." The official news agency Xinhua quoted Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke saying all its personnel were "deeply regretful and mournful" at her "unfortunate death". The J-10 is a workhorse of the Chinese air force.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 14, 2016 02:55 UTC