The comprehensive display of China's active military hardware at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or the Zhuhai Airshow, has indicated Chinese army's confidence, inclusiveness and openness, according to a military expert.
The airshow takes place in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai from Tuesday to Sunday. Multiple types of Chinese advanced military aircraft, such as the multi-role fighter jet J-10C, the Y-20 large transport aircraft, and the stealth fighter jets J-20 and J-35A, staged stunning flight performances, wowing visitors at the airshow.
These equipment, among others, are also on static display, enabling visitors to observe their exquisite designs and details up close.
The Y-20 even opened its cargo belly for visitors to have a multi-dimensional view and direct understanding of its projection capabilities.
"[The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's] August 1st aerobatics team already replaced its jets with the J-10C aircraft last year, the latest model of the J-10. Many people captured the splendid aerial displays presented by the J-10C, and they feel very proud. The latest progress of the Chinese army in the development of advanced weapons and equipment have left a deep impression on them," said Li Li, a famous military expert in China.
"Meanwhile, the cargo belly of the Y20 is open to visit reservations by ordinary people, so that they can directly feel the strategic projection capabilities of the aircraft. They can know how the airport projects tanks and troops [to combat zones] and how the chairs are arranged inside the cabin. This will help enhance people's understanding the Chinese air force and even mobilize more people to become pilots," she also said.
Covering more than 800,000 square meters, the airshow this year has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions to participate.
Comprehensive display of active military hardware indicates China's openness: expert
China's civil aviation sector maintained steady operations in 2024, with both air passenger traffic and fixed-asset investment reaching record highs, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
The industry's watchdog revealed that the country's civil aviation industry last year achieved a record passenger volume of 730 million and a cargo and mail volume of 8.98 million metric tons, with year-on-year increases of 17.9 percent and 22.1 percent, respectively.
During the same period, the number of international flights surged to weekly 6,400, reaching 84 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with the international cargo and mail volume jumping by 29.3 percent.
Thanks to record passenger numbers and steady growth in cargo volumes, the sector in 2024 reduced its losses by 19.24 billion yuan (around 2.62 billion U.S. dollars) from a year ago, hitting the break-even point and swinging back into the black.
From January to December, the sector's fixed-asset investment exceeded 100 billion yuan (roughly 13.64 billion U.S. dollars) for the fifth straight year, hitting a record high of 135 billion yuan (about 18.41 billion U.S. dollars), the CAAC highlighted.
In 2024, China's aviation infrastructure underwent significant expansion, with the addition of five new runways, 25 aircraft parking stands, and 19,000 square meters of terminal building area. This growth brought the total number of transport airports to 263, with a combined capacity to handle 1.5 billion passengers. Additionally, the first phase of control capacity improvement projects was fully implemented.
The year also saw steady progress on key projects outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), including the development of advanced air traffic control radar systems, weather radar networks, and expanded communication networks. Furthermore, the country's air route network was enhanced with the introduction of 45 new routes, spanning a total of 8,349 kilometers.
China's civil aviation sees record-high passenger trips, fixed-asset investment in 2024
