Comrade Gu Songfen, a member of the Communist Party of China, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, a renowned Chinese aircraft aerodynamicist, and a research fellow of the Science and Technology Committee of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, passed away in Beijing at 21:11 on May 31, 2026, due to illness despite medical treatment. He was 96 years old.
Gu Songfen, male, of Han ethnicity, was born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in February 1930. He joined the Communist Party of China in March 1981 and began his professional career in August 1951. He served successively as Director of the Aviation Industry Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute, Deputy Director and Senior Advisor of the Science and Technology Committee of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, and Vice President and Honorary President of the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment. He was elected an academician (member of the Academic Division) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1991 and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994.
Comrade Gu Songfen dedicated his entire life to advancing China's aviation science and technology. He innovatively designed the aerodynamic configurations of multiple aircraft types and established New China's aircraft aerodynamics design system. The supersonic fighter jets J-8 and J-8II, which he led the development of, pioneered China's independent research and development of fighter aircraft. He established China's fighter aircraft development system, making tremendous contributions to the generational leap and advancement of aviation weaponry. He paid close attention to national strategic security and provided decision-making support for bringing large aircraft into the skies. Loyal to the Party and devoted to service, he mentored a large number of leading talents in aircraft design and made outstanding contributions to the development of New China's aviation industry.
Comrade Gu Songfen received numerous awards and honors, including the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the State Science and Technology Progress Award (Special Grade, First Grade, and Second Grade), the Ho Leung Ho Lee Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, the Aviation Service Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Outstanding Scientific and Technological Worker, the May Day Labor Medal, the National Model Worker, the Central Enterprise Outstanding Communist Party Member, and the "Touching China" Person of the Year 2021.
We mourn and deeply cherish the memory of Academician Gu Songfen.
