China's Y-20 large transport aircraft debuts at Africa's largest airshow

A Y-20 large transport aricraft from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force on Wednesday made its debut at the 2024 Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD-2024) at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.

This marked the first time the Y-20 has flown to South Africa, with plans for both static and dynamic displays during the event.

Running until Sunday, the 12th edition of the AAD features cutting-edge innovations in aviation, aerospace, and defense.

Segomotso Tire, chairperson of the AAD Executive Committee, emphasized that the exhibition offers a key platform for industry players to present their technological breakthroughs and engage in meaningful dialogue.

The Y-20 transport plane, invited to participate in the airshow, is on static display from Wednesday to Friday, followed by dynamic demonstrations over the weekend.

"This participation in AAD-2024 is the first time that our Y-20 team has flown to South Africa. In the process of preparing for this air show, we had carefully designed the flight procedures in combination with the flight environment and the position of the viewing platform at Waterkloof Air Force Base, and striven to achieve precision and perfection in every move. We aim to fully demonstrate the excellent tactical maneuvering performance of the Y-20 transport aircraft, and showcase China's advanced aviation weapons and equipment, as well as the fine image of the Chinese soldiers," said Liang Yao, captain of the PLA Air Force's Y-20.

In the static display area, the Y-20 stands proudly alongside dozens of fighter planes from various countries, with its red star-adorned tail catching the eye of many spectators. Members of the Chinese community in South Africa, upon learning of the Y-20's arrival, gathered at the air show venue to take commemorative photos with the national asset and the Chinese national flag.

During the air show, the Y-20 is expected to share the skies with multinational flight demonstration teams, showcasing its impressive aerial capabilities through a variety of stunts and maneuvers.

Alongside the Chinese presence, the AAD-2024 also featured participants from Botswana, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, India, Russia, Armenia, and Albania, highlighting the latest advances in technology, goods and services from the international defense industry.

China's Y-20 large transport aircraft debuts at Africa's largest airshow

President of the United States Joe Biden has extended for another year the Trading with the Enemy Act, a 1917 regulation under which the blockade of Cuba was imposed, Cuban media reported on Wednesday.

The continuation of the exercise of these authorities with respect to Cuba for one year, until September 14, 2025, is in the national interest of the United States, Biden said in the brief memorandum sent to the Treasury Department, published in the Federal Register.

The Trading with the Enemy Act, enacted under the administration of Woodrow Wilson who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921 during the period of World War I (1914 to 1918), empowers the government in power in Washington to restrict commercial activities with any nation that they consider an adversary.

Based on this legislation, on February 7, 1962, Democratic President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 3447, which officially began an economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba that has survived 11 White House administrations.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Thursday that the blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of the Cuban people and the main obstacle to the country's development.

At current prices, the accumulated damages of the economic, commercial and financial blockade and trade embargo over the past six decades have amounted to the astronomical figure of 164.141 billion U.S. dollars, according to Rodriguez.

Since 1992, the United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favor of the resolution presented by Cuba to lift the blockade. Last year, the draft resolution was approved by 187 countries and opposed only by the United States and Israel, with Ukraine abstaining.

US extends blockade of Cuba for another year

US extends blockade of Cuba for another year