Wang Jing, a well-known Chinese female mountaineer accused in May of taking a helicopter to Mount Everest, recently admitted that she had indeed used a helicopter to travel from the base camp to Camp 2. She cited the reason as a severe avalanche on Everest that had blocked the climbing route.
After the Beijing Youth Daily published this report, it immediately caused an uproar among netizens on the mainland. Some even pointed out that today’s China is driven by quick success and instant benefits, with fraud prevalent everywhere — whether in mountaineering, scientific research, road construction, or housing — all have strayed from their original purposes.
Mainland media widely reported in late May that Wang Jing, 40, successfully reached the summit via the South Col route of Everest at 6:20 p.m. on May 23, becoming the first person to summit from the South Col that year.
Shortly afterward, however, Nepalese media quoted a helicopter pilot as saying that Wang had taken a helicopter from the base camp to Camp 2 at an altitude of 6,400 meters, and Nepalese officials even launched an investigation into the matter. But at the time, Wang denied the claim, stating the helicopter “was only used to transport porters and cooks.”
But the reports noted that Wang recently admitted to having taken a helicopter from the base camp to Camp 2, explaining her previous denial as resulting from “a misunderstanding caused by poor communication.”
Wang claimed that due to the deadliest avalanche in Everest’s history in April, the area between the base camp and Camp 2 had been closed off, leaving no traversable path.
Foreign media reported that on April 18, a major avalanche occurred below Everest, killing 16 Sherpa guides who were setting up ropes and transporting supplies for foreign climbers. At the time, other guides initially refused to accompany foreign climbers to the summit, forcing over 100 mountaineers to abandon their attempts.
The BBC Chinese website described the use of helicopters to climb Everest, the world’s highest peak, as “a serious breach of tradition and highly unethical.” It also noted that Nepalese officials only allow helicopters to fly to camps above 5,400 meters in emergency rescue situations.
Mainland netizens heavily criticized Wang for using a helicopter during her Everest climb. Some said her actions “not only lack integrity but also涉嫌 fraud,” adding, “Integrity is exactly what our society needs.” Others commented that today’s China is “driven by quick success and instant benefits, with fraud prevalent everywhere — whether in mountaineering, scientific research, road construction, or housing — all have strayed from their original purposes.”
Some netizens sarcastically remarked, “Perhaps Wang Jing has a good credit record with the bank, but her social credit record in this incident needs to be redeemed through humility and sincere repentance.” Others said, “Unable to challenge nature, one challenges man-made rules. Courageous, perhaps, but morally disgusting and shamefully conduct.” 1030607
(Central News Agency)