The World - News from Feb. 16, 1989
A Taiwanese fighter pilot whose jet crashed in China has requested asylum from Beijing, and he denied reports he was carrying military secrets. Lt. Col. Lin Xianshun, 35, told reporters in Canton that he wanted to be a pilot in the air force of the People’s Liberation Army. “I am proud to be a Chinese,” Lin said, appearing on Hong Kong television. China’s air force had held Lin incommunicado since Saturday, when the crash occurred. Lin parachuted to safety after his F-5E fighter ran out of oil in heavy fog.
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.
