Airshow China 2018: 150 domestic and foreign aircraft on display

World
Europe

03:45

Domestic and foreign, commercial and military -- new aviation technology brings a lift to the southern city of Zhuhai. That's where Airshow China has taken off for this year's high-flying display. In a congratulatory letter, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is ready to do its part to advance aviation internationally. CGTN's Ge Yunfei takes us there.

An air show with just as much excitement on the ground as in the friendly skies.

Those at Airshow China 2018 got the world's first look at the CR929.

A real-life model of the wide-body airliner developed by China and Russia was greeted with much acclaim.

WU YANG, PROJECT MANAGER CR929 GENERAL DESIGN & AIRSHOW MOCK-UP "CR929 will provide a long range wide-body airliner with 200-350 seats for the market after year of 2020. It will be competent on the market. Our primary market focuses on China, Russia and some other Asia-Pacific regions."

The CR929 was one of over 150 domestic and foreign aircraft on the radar at the show.

GE YUNFEI ZHUHAI "Now is a great opportunity for a closer look at China's state-of-the-art planes and weaponry. Right behind me is the Ag600 model. It's China's largest amphibious plane. And right next to it is the Y-20, China's largest military transport aircraft. Two of these big guys are waiting for you at the static exhibition area outside."

After the opening ceremony, China's third-generation jet fighter, the J-10B with China's new thrust vector engines dazzled audiences with a flight performance, putting on 15 minutes of exhilarating stunts.

For many though, the highlight of the day was seeing the performance of three J-20 fighters, China's state-of-the art stealth fighters.

It was the jet's first public formation flight since its debut two years ago, at this airshow.

And the Y-20, China's latest and biggest military transport aircraft, also took to the sky on Tuesday afternoon.

AUDIENCE "The scale is really huge. Our best and strongest equipment is all shown here. I'm totally impressed by this year's show."

AUDIENCE "I just watched the flying performance. It's very very impressive. I really feel that our aviation industry has grown so fast."

Event organizers say 770 exhibitors from 43 countries and regions are here at the show.

Airbus used the event to launch its new A220 passenger jet into the Chinese market.

Airbus' China CEO says the company hopes to get more involved in China's supply chain.

GEORGE XU CEO, AIRBUS(CHINA) ENTERPRISES "The Chinese government is carrying out a round of reform and opening up. We have much cooperation with China, we hope to have more in the future."

And the event is not just about planes and jets.

China's ten major national military branches are all on-hand.

From infantry vehicles to radars, to bionic robots, experts are showcasing their best cutting-edge equipment and weaponry at the show.

Companies are taking the chance to place orders from the military.

SHEN XIAOBING CHINA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORP. "We just launched our new all-LED flight simulator at the show. We hope it can attract military orders for us."

Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory letter to the Airshow China 2018. The airshow runs through this weekend.

Ge Yunfei, CGTN, Zhuhai.