SHENYANG -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets.

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs in the ROK. Wednesday's mission also marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for the repatriation duties.