Hainan Island Incident

Date: April 1, 2001 • Location: Sansha, China

An American Lockheed EP-3 and a Chinese Shenyang J-8 collided in mid-air off Hainan, resulting in an international dispute between the two countries.

The Lockheed EP-3 is an electronic signals reconnaissance variant of the P-3 Orion, formerly operated by the United States Navy.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in China's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.