The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has brought a dazzling array of active equipment and staged spectacular flight demonstrations to visitors at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which opened in south China's coastal city of Zhuhai on Tuesday.
This year, the PLA Navy opened an indoor exhibition hall at the airshow for the first time, mainly exhibiting two sections of aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and opened a navy flight recruitment theme exhibition area and an interactive experience area to introduce the recruitment and training of carrier-based aircraft pilots to the public.
In the outdoor static display area, the PLA Navy also exhibited the domestically-produced J-15T carrier-based fighter jets, Z-9F shipborne anti-submarine helicopters, Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, as well as various shipborne weapon systems and maritime rescue and life-saving equipment.
In the flight demonstration section, the Navy also sent the J-15D carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, J-15T carrier-based fighter, Z-20J carrier-based helicopter, and Z-8C transport helicopter for flight demonstrations for the first time.
Meanwhile, marines and the first batch of female carrier-based aircraft pilots also made public appearances at the airshow.
"It is of great significance that the PLA Navy has sent real equipment to the Airshow China for the first time. First of all, by displaying the latest naval main combat equipment in service, people can further understand the latest achievements of the PLA Navy's construction and development in the past 75 years. On the other hand, by displaying the latest main combat equipment in service, it also demonstrates the open, transparent attitude and confidence of the PLA Navy," said military expert Zhang Junshe.
PLA Navy displays active equipment, stunning flight demonstrations at Zhuhai Airshow
The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.
In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.
The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.
The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.
Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.
He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.
Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.
Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.
For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.
Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade
