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Bayi Aerobatic Team leader attributes success at airshow to proficient teamwork

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Bayi Aerobatic Team leader attributes success at airshow to proficient teamwork

2024-11-18 21:21 Last Updated At:22:07

Li Bin, leader of the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, attributed the team's success at Zhuhai Airshow to proficient teamwork, rigorous training and flight virtuosity with the J-10C fighter jets.

In 2009, Li joined the Bayi Aerobatic Team. As a fighter pilot, he has accumulated 4,000 hours of safe flight time. Within the team, Li Bin also serves as the flight lead, guiding the formation.

At the just-concluded 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, in Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province, six fighter jets from the aerobatic team took part in the performances. The jets executed precise formations while showcasing a variety of flight maneuvers, highlighting the exceptional skill and proficiency of the pilots.

Displayed at the airshow for the 11th time, their performance this year was titled "Sword Looping."

"We named our performance 'Sword' because it represents the image on our fighter jet. The name is both powerful and easy to remember," said Li.

During the show, the six J-10C fighters of China's Bayi Aerobatic Team flipped and pranced in the air, trailing colored smokes in a graceful and agile manner, which required pilots' tacit cooperation and precise operation.

"Red is the color that most represents China. Yellow is derived from the color of the stars on our national flag. Additionally, the flags of the Communist Party of China and the PLA both contain the color of yellow. Blue refers to the blue section of the PLA Air Force flag. We aim to match the colored smoke in our performance with the colors of the CPC flag, the PLA flags, and the national flag," Li said.

Initially founded in 1962, the Bayi Aerobatic Team was renamed 25 years later after the PLA's founding date, which falls on August 1.

Over the years, the team has operated seven different aircraft types. Since 2009, all the aircraft used by the Bayi Aerobatic Team have been domestically produced.

In 2023, the team officially transitioned to the J-10C fighter jets—supersonic, multipurpose aircraft independently developed by China. These advanced jets are capable of maintaining short- and medium-range air superiority, while also being equipped to strike both ground and sea targets. "This is the J-10C fighter jet that we equipped last year. As soldiers, the sword painting on the fighter inspires us to uphold the spirit of drawing the sword. These are the national flags of the countries where we have performed. We have performed overseas 11 times in eight countries," he said.

Equipping the team with new fighter jets marks a fresh starting point, prompting Li and his team members to train harder, with stricter requirements and higher standards.

"Before we were equipped with the J-10C, the distance between the fighters was three meters. However, with the new jet, the distance has been reduced to just over one meter, which presents a significant mental challenge for our pilots," Li said.

Such a short distance is not the absolute limit of safe flying.

"As an aerobatic team, safety is our top priority. As our former leader once said, we must maintain some leeway, although the margin in formation flying is much smaller than that for combat troops. Nonetheless, we will still have that leeway," Li said.

Established in 1962, the PLA's Bayi Aerobatic Team is mainly tasked to escort and perform for honorable guests of the State. Since its establishment, the team has conducted over 700 performances.

Bayi Aerobatic Team leader attributes success at airshow to proficient teamwork

Bayi Aerobatic Team leader attributes success at airshow to proficient teamwork

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China's general public budget revenue up 5.5 pct in Jan-Oct

2024-11-18 20:31 Last Updated At:21:07

China's general public budget revenue increased 5.5 percent year on year in the first 10 months of 2024, with the growth rate further accelerating, official data showed on Monday.

Date from the Ministry of Finance showed that from January to October, the total national general public budget revenue reached 18.4981 trillion yuan (about 2.55 trillion U.S. dollars), maintaining stable growth after excluding the impact of special factors.

Simultaneously, expenditure in the national general public budget reached 22.1465 trillion yuan (around 3.06 trillion U.S. dollars), rising 2.7 percent over the same period of the previous year, ensuring support for spending on basic livelihood and other key sectors.

Till the end of October, local governments have cumulatively issued 3.9 trillion yuan in new special bonds, with an issuance progress of 98 percent.

These funds have been directed towards over 30,000 projects with significant economic and social benefits, promoting stable development of local economies and societies.

General public budget revenue refers to income for government finance through participation in the distribution of social products. It is the financial guarantee to ensure government functioning.

China's general public budget revenue up 5.5 pct in Jan-Oct

China's general public budget revenue up 5.5 pct in Jan-Oct

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