Chinese Pilot Defects to Taiwan With MIG; 13th to Flee Since ’60
- Share via
TAIPEI, Taiwan — A Chinese Air Force pilot flying a MIG-19 fighter defected to Taiwan today, the Taiwan Air Force said, becoming the 13th pilot to flee China since 1960.
A military source said Taiwan was expected to give gold worth millions of dollars to the defector, squadron leader Liu Chih-yuan from Shantong. The source, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters that the Chinese pilot will also be given a high rank in Taiwan’s air force.
He said Liu tipped his fighter’s wings when he was intercepted by Taiwan jet fighters, which guided him to a safe landing at Ching Chuan Kang military air base in central Taiwan.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
