A grand air show descends on the Chinese city of Tianjin. 

A fleet of helicopters from across the country is doing exhibition flights at this fifth Helicopter Expo.

It just made its debut in the National Day Parade last week. It is now in active service. One maneuver includes an emergency rescue operation simulation and an aerobatic performance by the PLA Army Aviation Thunder Aerobatic Team.

The three latest models of China's medium-lift utility helicopter, the Z20, showed up during the expo. The chopper is equipped with two domestically-made turboshaft engines, which allow it to operate in plateau areas.

China's search and rescue helicopter, the AC 312E is also gaining some market recognition. It is a twin-engine helicopter developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

"A twin-engine helicopter is much safer than a single-engine one. In addition, the engine power is large, hover performance is good, and it's suitable for highland search and rescue missions," said Li Shengwei, deputy chief of Airplane Design Research Institution of AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group.

China's burgeoning aviation market is also gaining constant attention from major manufacturers around the world.

Working with the State Grid, Airbus Helicopter has introduced a new model to China, the H215. It's one of the most advanced heavy-lift helicopters in the world.

"For more than 50 years, our strategy here in China has been to develop our activity with Chinese partners. So we go through operations for manufacturing, assembly, sales and supporting services," said Marie-Agnes Veve, managing director of Airbus Helicopter China.

Airbus Helicopter has just unveiled its latest final assembly plant in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The final assembly line could deliver 18 H135 helicopters every year.

As China steadily opens its skies for low-altitude aerial vehicles, great potential will be seen in medical aid, border patrol, law enforcement, rescue and relief missions and forest fire fighting.