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Zoey Zhang

A man from southern China who donated 140 yuan (US$20) as a child to help build an aircraft carrier has seen his dream of the country becoming a stronger nation come true.
To top his wish, in November, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation invited him to visit the carrier fleet and gave him a commemorative watch.
Chen Yuwen, from Qinzhou city in Guangxi province, developed an early interest in the military, influenced by his father’s background as a soldier.
In 1999, at just five years old, Chen overheard his father and his friends discussing a donation to help build China’s first aircraft carrier.

At the time, China had no aircraft carriers, and the country was reeling from the news that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) warplanes had bombed the Chinese embassy in the former Yugoslavia, killing three Chinese reporters.
The little boy believed that an aircraft carrier would make his country strong enough to prevent another such attack.
Motivated by this, Chen collected 140 yuan and, with his father’s help, sent it to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Armaments Department.
That year, the average monthly income for urban Chinese residents was about 490 yuan (US$70).

Months later, he received a response telling him that his donation was being returned, along with a greeting card.
The card read: “Thank you for your support of the national defence. According to regulations, we are returning your donation in full. Wishing you a happy Lunar New Year, success in your studies and good health.”
Chen’s fascination with the military deepened over the years, leading him to visit Shenzhen in Guangdong province, southern China, to see the former Soviet aircraft carrier Minsk.

In 2012, China commissioned its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, a 300-metre warship refurbished and upgraded from an unfinished Soviet carrier.
Chen wrote to the Chinese military to express his excitement and received a phone call encouraging him to study hard.
In 2019, the country’s first fully domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, was officially commissioned.
Soon after, Chen shared his donation story online, which garnered widespread attention. Mainland media outlets tracked him down.
According to the Guangxi Daily, Chen was studying law at a university before working for a government agency in Beijing.
On November 10, the China Shipbuilding Corporation issued an online post inviting Chen to visit the group and the fleet. He will also be presented with a commemorative Fujian Carrier watch.
The Fujian is the country’s third aircraft carrier and features cutting-edge electromagnetic catapult technology.

The post read: “Twenty-six years ago, you donated 140 yuan. Today, we respond to your kindness with the Fujian aircraft carrier. The watch we are giving you will stand as a testament to your passion for the military.”
Chen told the mainland media that he felt honoured that his story had gained wider recognition, which strengthened his confidence in the country.
He also encouraged people to take more interest in the development of national defence technology and learn about China’s advanced weapons.
The story went viral on mainland social media, with the related posts amassing more than 50 million views.
One online observer said: “A kid gave everything he had to support a massive project he hoped would protect his country. After 26 years, the nation has honoured his sincere, childlike dedication with the utmost respect.”


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Chinese man who donated US$20 as child to aircraft carrier project is invited for visit 26 years on

Twenty-six years ago, a little boy in China donated his entire US$20 pocket money to help in the building of an aircraft carrier as he dreamed of a stronger nation. Photo: SCMP composite/Xinhua/Weibo/Baidu

The commemorative watch which was presented to Chen by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Photo: Baidu

Chen, above, was just a child when his lifelong fascination with the military began. Photo: Baidu

Chen, above, studied law at university before working for a government agency in Beijing. Photo: Baidu

People’s Liberation Army Navy crew stand at attention on deck during the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China’s first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults. Photo: Xinhua 

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People & Culture

Little boy whose father was a PLA soldier dreamed of a well-defended nation; developed lifelong fascination for the military


Little boy whose father was a PLA soldier dreamed of a well-defended nation; developed lifelong fascination for the military.


China’s aircraft carriers

Chen Yiwen

China State Shipbuilding Corporation

Chinese man who donated US$20 as child to aircraft carrier project is invited for visit 26 years on

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Little boy whose father was a PLA soldier dreamed of a well-defended nation; developed lifelong fascination for the military

Little boy whose father was a PLA soldier dreamed of a well-defended nation; developed lifelong fascination for the military