From fighter jets to attack drones, China’s biggest air show is about to open in Zhuhai

Aviation enthusiasts are gearing up for China’s biggest air show which begins on Tuesday in the southern city of Zhuhai, in Guangdong province.

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition – a biennial event also known as Airshow China – will give visitors a glimpse of the country’s expanding aviation industry and military advances.

This year’s show opens a day after the People’s Liberation Army Air Force marks its 75th anniversary. It will also be the first time the air show has been held since China’s tough pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2023.

Anticipation is building, with the air force and state news agency Xinhua releasing footage of aircraft arriving in Zhuhai.

Here’s what to watch for during the six-day show.

J-35A stealth fighter

The J-35A will take centre stage when it makes its debut in Zhuhai. The air force has described the warplane as a “medium-sized stealth multi-role fighter”, and China will be the second nation after the US to have two stealth fighters in active service. Modelled on the J-31 stealth fighter and resembling the American F-35, the J-35A is designed for airstrip operations rather than aircraft carrier use, expanding the PLA’s air capabilities. However, it is said that a future variant of the J-35 could be carrier-based.