ZHUHAI, China -- Visitors to China's major air show are getting a closeup look at the nation's latest military aircraft during a six-day event that runs through Sunday in southern China's Guangdong province.
The military's "August 1st" Aerobatic Team streamed red, blue and yellow smoke trails across the skies as its planes flew in formation at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. The annual show in Zhuhai was postponed last year because of the covid-19 pandemic.
On the ground, visitors swarmed around the J-16D electronic warfare plane, a military attack helicopter and the hulking Y-20A transport aircraft.
The ruling Communist Party is pouring money into developing fighter jets, stealth technology, drones and other hardware for its military wing, the People's Liberation Army, as it presses claims to disputed seas and other territory.
The air show is an opportunity for China to showcase its drones and other aircraft to potential overseas buyers as it pushes into markets that have been dominated by the United States and Europe.
Apart from warplanes, a number of civilian aircraft are on display, including electric-powered aircraft and a flying car from a Chinese-Australian joint venture.
![Members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Aviation University's "Red Falcon" Air Demonstration Team perform during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
Members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Aviation University's "Red Falcon" Air Demonstration Team perform during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
![A military guide briefs invited guests on details of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's large transport aircraft the Y-20A during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
A military guide briefs invited guests on details of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's large transport aircraft the Y-20A during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
![Members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Aviation University's "Red Falcon" Air Demonstration Team perform during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
Members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Aviation University's "Red Falcon" Air Demonstration Team perform during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
![A visitor watches aviation performances during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. The ruling Communist Party is pouring billions of dollars into developing fighter jets, stealth technology, drones and other hardware for its military wing, the People's Liberation Army, as it presses claims to disputed seas and other territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
A visitor watches aviation performances during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. The ruling Communist Party is pouring billions of dollars into developing fighter jets, stealth technology, drones and other hardware for its military wing, the People's Liberation Army, as it presses claims to disputed seas and other territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
![Members of the "August 1st" Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force perform near a J-16D electronic warfare airplane during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
Members of the "August 1st" Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force perform near a J-16D electronic warfare airplane during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
![A member of the "August 1st" Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force performs during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
A member of the "August 1st" Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force performs during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
![Visitors take photos of a Chinese military attack helicopter displayed during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. The ruling Communist Party is pouring billions of dollars into developing fighter jets, stealth technology, drones and other hardware for its military wing, the People's Liberation Army, as it presses claims to disputed seas and other territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)]()
Visitors take photos of a Chinese military attack helicopter displayed during 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. The ruling Communist Party is pouring billions of dollars into developing fighter jets, stealth technology, drones and other hardware for its military wing, the People's Liberation Army, as it presses claims to disputed seas and other territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
