China showcases J-20 stealth at air show
Changchun event highlights aerial displays and aerospace progress
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force turned the Changchun Air Show into a spectacular showcase of aerial skill and domestic aerospace progress. The event, held at Changchun International Aviation Expo City in Jilin Province, attracted thousands of spectators who watched the Bayi, Red Hawk, Sky Wing and August 1st teams perform synchronized formations, sharp rolls, steep climbs and vivid smoke trails.
The highlight was a series of high‑energy displays by China’s indigenously‑developed fighters. A pair of J‑16 jets executed tight horizontal spirals, vertical climbs and coordinated barrel rolls, emphasizing both horizontal and vertical combat agility. Four J‑20 stealth fighters, China’s first fifth‑generation aircraft, flew in tactical pairs, performed a cross‑pass maneuver and formed a diamond‑shaped flyby, demonstrating advanced coordination and stealth capabilities. For the first time, a J‑20 was parked within meters of the public, allowing visitors a close look at the radar‑evading platform designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute.
Beyond the aerobatics, the open‑house featured static displays of aircraft, ground equipment and aerospace exhibitors under the theme “Chasing Dreams in the Sky, Securing Victory for the Future.” The venue, spanning over 2.35 million m², hosted more exhibitors than previous editions, along with science outreach activities, maintenance demonstrations, interactive displays and youth programs. Organizers noted that the routines were adjusted for visual spectacle as well as precision, and would be modified if weather required.
Overall, the Changchun Air Show served both as entertainment and as a public statement of China’s advancing air‑combat training and aerospace technology, highlighting the capabilities of the J‑16 and J‑20 fighters while engaging the public with hands-on aviation experiences.
