New stealth fighter jet to play 'crucial role' in nation's defense

Strive for excellence

Wang was later appointed chief researcher of the J-16 multi-role strike plane and its electronic-warfare variant. Under his leadership, designers gave the J-16 series strong capabilities, making the aircraft a new pillar of the Air Force's airstrike system.

As the chief designer of a combat plane, he believes the most important aspect is to know clearly what pilots and their commanders truly need.

Gu Songfen is a preeminent aircraft designer who worked for decades at the Shenyang institute. He is one of a handful of recipients of the nation's highest science and technology award.

Wang said Gu once told him and other chief designers that they must make friends with front-line pilots to hear what they want and their advice. "He said, 'It is the aviators, not you, that really know whether your aircraft perform well or poorly up in the skies'," Wang said, adding that he usually pays several visits to military units each year to talk with pilots to solicit their suggestions.

Currently, most of Wang's attention is focused on flight tests and improvement of the J-35A.

Besides the design work, he also tutors doctoral students at the institute. He often tells the students that as an aircraft researcher, "you must have craftsmanship and always strive for excellence and perfection."

Looking to the future, Wang said he is confident that the Chinese aviation industry will continue building world-class combat aircraft for the PLA.

"We will design and make whatever the motherland and the people need to protect our skies," he stressed.

In recognition of Wang's service and contributions, the government has conferred a number of honorary titles and awards on him, ranging from the model worker's medal to one of the country's top sci-tech awards.

His only child, a son, also studied aircraft design at Beihang University, and now works at a Shanghai-based institute of the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China.