China showcases technological strength, military openness at Zhuhai Airshow

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition has fully showcased China's technological capabilities and commitment to innovation, while concurrently reflecting the nation's openness and transparency in the military sphere, said a military expert.

The event, also known as Airshow China or Zhuhai Airshow, kicked off on Tuesday in Zhuhai, a coastal city of south China's Guangdong Province.

At this year’s air show, the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission established a dedicated zone for information release, which covers four key areas: achievements in equipment, policy introductions, military trade systems, and a forum for military equipment.

The department’s efforts have helped foster international cooperation and the exchange of military technologies, and provided a platform and channels for supporting social forces to collaborate in weapons and equipment construction. This, in turn, demonstrates China's transparency by sharing its progress both domestically and internationally, said military expert Li Li.

"The Zhuhai Airshow is an excellent window and platform for showcasing military defense capabilities. It showcases the latest developments in aerospace from various countries, especially from China. It also demonstrates that Chinese military is a force for peace and defense," said Li.

This year's airshow features an expanded exhibition space with 13 zones, covering 120,000 square meters and attracting 1,022 exhibitors from 47 countries and regions, representing a 104 percent increase compared to last session.

One of the key highlights of this year’s exhibition is China’s advancements in aerospace engine, a critical area where the country has made significant strides. Once a bottleneck in China’s equipment development, aerospace engines have now become a symbol of the nation’s technological prowess.

"Aerospace engines are a key component of any country's large-scale industry, and for China, this posed a significant challenge. Today, China is a leading producer and exporter of aerospace engines, underscoring the country's prominent role in the global aerospace industry," said Li.

China showcases technological strength, military openness at Zhuhai Airshow

The final supermoon of 2025 graced the night skies over China from Thursday evening through to early Friday, creating some spectacular illuminated scenery.

According to the Beijing Planetarium, this supermoon reached its fullest phase at 07:14 Beijing time on Friday morning.

Approximately 12 hours prior, the moon passed its perigee -- the closest point to Earth -- with the Earth-moon distance being less than 360,000 kilometers, meeting the common definition of a supermoon and ranking as the second largest full moon of the year.

The latest supermoon occurrence was preceded by a stunning and even larger one back in November, which occurred nine hours before the perigee, while there was also a smaller one in October.

Astronomers say that the "secret" to enjoying the supermoon at its peak is all about timing and location. They note the golden hour comes shortly after sunset when the moon just rises.

Against the backdrop of trees or buildings, it appears exceptionally large and full, while there may be a sense of illusion which makes the shimmering moon appear all the more impressive.

"When the moon just rises, it may appear larger against terrestrial scenery. By midnight on the same day, when it's high in the sky with no contrasting objects around, it seems smaller. This isn't an actual change in size, but an illusion," said Kou Wen, a senior engineer at the Beijing Planetarium. Astronomers say the next supermoon will not appear until this time next year, though it is anticipated to be even more noteworthy.

"The next such supermoon will occur in December of next year. That time, the interval between passing perigee and the full moon will be only about six or seven hours, making it even closer than both occurrences this year," Kou said.

Final supermoon of 2025 illuminates night sky