A video recorded on the streets of Trinidad, in central Cuba, revealed a little-known story about the training of Cuban pilots in China during the 1960s.
The recording was published by a Chinese blogger who was visiting the island. She was walking along one of the old streets of Trinidad when an elderly man addressed her respectfully from a window. The man greeted her, spoke a few words in Chinese, and shared his story.
It is about Alberto Alonso Sanjuan, known as Tito, a veteran pilot. He showed the young tourist an old yellow notebook that certified the training he received in the Asian nation during the 1960s, along with a group of colleagues. He confessed to her that his dream is to return to visit Beijing.
What seemed like a simple anecdote turned into a viral phenomenon that reached the Chinese Air Force and triggered an unexpected reunion with a little-known topic in Cuban history.
The Chinese Air Force confirms the story
The training of Cuban pilots in China during the 1960s must be understood in the context of the Cold War, a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
After the 1959 Revolution, Cuba aligned itself with the communist bloc, establishing close ties with Moscow and its allies, including China. During those years, Havana sought to strengthen its military capabilities and reduce its reliance on American equipment and training, which led to collaboration with socialist nations in the training of aeronautical and military personnel.
Before 1959, the training of Cuban pilots was closely linked to the United States, a country with which Cuba maintained strong aviation ties.
Many military and civilian aviators received training at U.S. bases, including facilities in Florida, just 90 miles from the island. With the change of government, the new Cuban leadership expelled American advisors and sought support from its new communist allies, facilitating training programs in the Soviet Union, China, and other socialist countries.
The video of the tourist led the Chinese Air Force to review their historical records, where they confirmed the training of over a hundred Cuban pilots in their academies.
Records detail that between the 1960s and 1970s, China trained Cuban pilots and technicians in aircraft operation, in the context of close military cooperation between the two countries.
In response to the media coverage of the case in the Asian country, the Embassy of China in Cuba organized an event on February 10th in Havana to celebrate the Lantern Festival with a dozen retired Cuban pilots and their families.
Days later, on February 28, representatives from the Chinese Air Force traveled to the Cuban capital to meet with Tito and other alumni. During the meeting, the Cuban veterans received messages from their instructors, with whom they shared classrooms and flight training.
An instructor from the Old 12th Air Force Aviation Institute Zhang Wanyun expressed in his message: "I wish the best for your families in Cuba. I hope we can together witness the new airplanes and the great changes in China."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Training of Cuban Pilots in China and Its Impact
Why were Cuban pilots trained in China during the 1960s?
The training of Cuban pilots in China took place in the context of the Cold War, when Cuba sought to strengthen its military capacity by aligning itself with communist nations following the 1959 Revolution. This training helped reduce dependence on American equipment and training, establishing closer ties with China and other socialist allies.
How was the story of Cuban pilots training in China confirmed?
A video recorded by a Chinese tourist in Trinidad, Cuba, led the Chinese Air Force to review its archives, where they confirmed the training of over a hundred Cuban pilots in their academies during the 1960s and 70s. This reconnection with history was prompted by the testimony of a veteran Cuban pilot who had participated in the training program.
What impact did the training of Cuban pilots in China have on bilateral relations?
The training of Cuban pilots in China strengthened military cooperation between the two countries, consolidating the communist ties that emerged after the Cuban Revolution. This type of collaboration underscores the importance of the historical relationships between Cuba and China, especially in the military and political spheres.
What is the current context of the relations between Cuba and China?
Relations between Cuba and China have continued to strengthen, marked by high-level visits and cooperation in areas such as security, economy, and politics. The current context reveals a tightening of ties at a critical time for Cuba due to its economic challenges, with China reaffirming its support for the Cuban regime.
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