A J-16 fighter jet impressed the audience at the ongoing Airshow China in Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province on Thursday by performing dazzling aerobatic moves, showcasing its outstanding maneuverability.

The jet showcased a series of technical actions, including a sharp turn with large slope at an ultra-low altitude and a high speed, vertical takeoff and continuous overturn with heavy loads. It was the first time the J-16 had been on public display at the airshow.

A J-16 pilot Zhang Yang told Xinhua News Agency on Thursday that the jet displayed "strong practical significance."

The two-seat, dual-engine jet is a multi-functional heavy fighter, with a bomb loading capacity of around eight tonnes. It serves as an all-rounder with beyond-visual-range air-to-air and air-to-ship strike capabilities.

Based on the Chinese J-11BS, the new-generation heavy fighter aircraft is one of the important offensive and defensive aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, according to Xinhua.

Zhang said J-16 fighter jets have engaged in various combat situations since their commission to the PLA, including a variety of transnational military exercises, demonstrating stable platform performance and strong maneuverability.

The J-16, along with J-20 and J-10C, has carried out aerial refueling training with the YY-20, China's new-generation aerial refueling plane, many times, enhancing the PLA Air Force's capability of long-range maneuverability, according to Shen Jinke, spokesman for the PLA Air Force, on Sunday.

The J-16 fighters made their parade debut in 2017 when the PLA staged a show of strength to mark its 90th founding anniversary.

Based on the J-16 fighter, China designed and manufactured the J-16D, an electronic warfare fighter jet, aiming to jam enemy radar and erode anti-aircraft systems. The type made its debut at the airshow in 2021 and appeared again this year.

(Cover: A J-16 fighter jet at the Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province, November 10, 2022. /CFP)