The first batch of the Chinese air force's main fighters arrived at the Zhuhai Jinwan Airport in south China's Guangdong Province on Saturday for the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or the Zhuhai Airshow.
A J-10C, a multirole fighter jet equipped with advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, was the first to touch down at the airport and will be on static display at this year's airshow. This fighter jet and two others, J-20 and J-16, dubbed "three musketeers of the sky," are at the core of the Chinese air force.
The airshow will take place from Nov. 12-17, attracting 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions. Russia, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Italy will participate in the biennial aerospace trade show in groups.
Russia's Warrior aerobatic team will make a stunning return after an absence of eight years. As the stars of every airshow, the air force's Bayi (August 1) and Hongying (Red Eagle) aerobatic teams will arrive in Zhuhai in succession.
As an export-oriented international event, the Zhuhai Airshow offers a rare venue to observe China's military aircraft up close, especially the newest models.
Chinese air force fighters arrive for Zhuhai airshow
The air search and rescue team for the return of the three Shenzhou-18 astronauts is fully ready to welcome the trio back at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday.
The team with five helicopters has carried out more than 10 search and rescue drills at the Dongfeng landing site.
The commanding helicopter will be the first to find the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, which is scheduled to touch down on Earth in the early morning on Nov 4.
The telecommunication helicopter will help coordinate efforts of the Dongfeng landing site and the control center in Beijing.
The other three helicopters will provide health services to the three Shenzhou-18 astronauts and transport them away from the landing site.
"(Our five helicopters will cover) the entire Dongfeng landing site with an area of 1,300 square kilometers. Prior to the landing of the Shenzhou-18 spaceship's return capsule, our commanding helicopter will guide the other four helicopters to fly together towards the theoretical landing point. And we could make adjustments timely according to landing point forecast updates," said Hu Chengxian, a member of the air search and rescue team.
"Our people have all reached a great level both in their technical readiness and in equipment conditions, and we are both confident and capable that we will deliver a safe and efficient performance of the search and rescue mission on the day of return, and properly take the astronauts home," Hu said.
Air search team ready for Shenzhou-18 return
