Chinese soldier Wang Qi who crossed over to India mistakenly returns home after five decades

After five decades since he crossed over to India post the 1962 war and raised a family in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district, a Chinese soldier returned home safely in Beijing.

77-year-old Wang Qi was caught while entering the Indian territory after Sino-India War of 1962. Qi was later released from jail.

“Wang with his wife Sushila, and their son Vishnu and two other family members will be flying to China,” Balaghat Collector Bharat Yadav told PTI.

Wang and his four family members got visa on Saturday. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup made it clear that Wang Qi and his family members arrived in Beijing a short while ago. Two of the Mission officials also accompanied Wang Qi and family to their hometown.

Qi mentioned that this became possible with the help of Ministry of Home and External Affairs.

After his arrival in Beijing, the family are expected to travel to his native place in Shaanxi Province to meet Wang's relatives, reportedly.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday had said that it was following up the case and helping Wang and his family members to visit China to meet his extended family.

“Three officials from Chinese Embassy in India met my father and talked to him for more than an hour. They assured him all possible help to visit China,” according to his son Vishnu (35).

Qi joined the Chinese Army in 1960 and he entered India through the eastern frontier after losing his way in the darkness one night.

He landed in Assam where an Indian Red Cross team handed him over to the Indian Army on January 1, 1963.

With PTI Inputs