China’s first woman pilot from Tibet who excels in basketball and skateboarding and dreams of becoming the “coolest captain” has captured attention at the Changchun Air Show.
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On September 20, Gesang Baizhen, the 25-year-old fighter pilot with the Chinese Air Force, took the stage at the air show in northeastern China.
According to the mainland media outlet Jimu News, Gesang grew up in a Tibetan family. Her name was inspired by the “flower of the plateau” and “white pearl”.
In secondary school, inspired by Chinese women astronauts Liu Yang and Wang Yaping, Gesang developed a passion for aviation.
Soon, she was admitted to the Air Force Aviation University, where she gained a solid foundation in flying.
In October 2024, Gesang successfully completed all assessments to become a fighter pilot.
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Mainland reports suggest she consistently ranked at the top in each evaluation, earning the respect of her instructors.
