(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Translator’s Note: I have only translated the first paragraph of this much longer text – which explains with Mr Cai Yan Wei’s (蔡演威) life in revolutionary China. In 1945 he joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) where he trained in aeroplane mechanics and piloting – graduating as a pilot in 1950. His skill at flying was so good that he was soon promoted to the rank of ‘captain’. From 1950-1961, Mr Cai Yan Wei logged 5,500 flying hours, achieving all missions and training many young pilots – including China’s first woman fighter pilot Wang Yun (汪云). In his old age he was very healthy and still enjoyed flying. Eventually he visited the Feng Shun area and paid his respects to his Hakka ancestor’s graves. ACW 20.2.2016
According to the Meizhou Daily, it is believed that Chairman Mao Zedong flew in at least 60 different flights during his lifetime. The first aeroplane journey was in 1945 – from Yan’an to Chongqing – for negotiations between the KMT and CPC, with the last time being in 1967 when he flew out of Wuhan. There were three pilots trusted with this task, but the one that flew Mao the most was Mr Cai Yan Wei. Mr Cai Yan Wei was an overseas Chinese who had returned to China from Thailand to fight for the Communist Revolution. Mr Cai Yan Wei was of the Hakka ethnicity, and his ancestors came from the Feng Shun County area of Meizhou City, which is situated in southern China’s Guangdong province.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2016.
Original Chinese Language Article:
http://www.meizhou.ccoo.cn/bendi/info-106872.html
据《梅州日报》报道，毛泽东主席一生大概坐过60次飞机，第一次坐飞机是1945年从延安到重庆参加“国共两党”谈判，最后一次是1967年离开武汉，而为毛主席开过专机的机长有三位，其中开过最多次的那位，是丰顺籍客家人、泰国归国华侨蔡演威先生。
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 