Female soldiers will also participate in the grand V-Day parade on September 3rd. Photos of female honor guards rehearsing for the parade have already attracted loads of attention. In addition to the honor guards, female soldiers will also represent medic and air force formations. Our reporter Han Bin met the only four female pilots, all in their late 20s, who will be flying China's most advanced fighter jets above Tian'anmen Square.

Chinese female fighter pilots to fly J-10s

They are some of the toughest pilots in China . They are the Air Force's first group of female fighter pilots. They belong to the "Airborne Honor Guards"—the August 1st Aerobatic Team. Flying one of the world’s most lethal warplanes sets them apart from others their age.

"This career used to be completely dominated by men. Previously, all female pilots in the PLA Air Force flew transport aircraft. But no female pilots had ever flown fighter jets in China. That’s a big challenge for us in our lifetime," He Xiaoli, pilot from August 1st Aerobatic Team.

He Xiaoli told us the 4 women have flown four types of planes, including second and third generation Chinese fighter jets. All of them have logged nearly a thousand hours of flying time. The air force first recruited female fighter pilots in 2005. Only 16 made it through the grueling 4-year training. In 2013, He Xiaoli and three others were chosen by the Air Force Aerobatic Team to fly the J-10.

"When I first flew the J-10, there were a lot of corrections to my flying, as my arms weren't strong enough. I then realized that flying a fighter jet requires not only superb technique but also physical strength. I did a lot of physical training to build up my arms. It made it easier to fly a smooth formations with male pilots later on," she said.

The need for female pilots is increasing in China's ambitious air force modernization drive. Many believe it highlights a rising role of women in the military, and a growing number of female astronauts in the future.

"I have to say all the 4 female pilots are working very hard. Although they can't compare with male pilots in terms of physical strength, they have managed to do the same with hard training. For example, a complete turn-around maneuver takes a lot of strength for a precision formation. Now, they can do it almost as well we can," said Liu Kai, pilot from August 1st Aerobatic Team.

"I think the biggest challenge is still being a female pilot. I'm married, and I want to have a child. I hope I can continue flying fighter jets after I give birth. That could be the biggest challenge in my life. But I'm ready for that," He said.

He Xiaoli has never thought of giving up ever since she was selected to be a pilot. She believes strength alone does not determine a top pilot, and the sky is not the limit. The take-off of female pilots represents a new era for the PLA Air Force. Chairman Mao said women hold up half the sky. For these women, that's just the start.

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