Chinese aviation's exhibits captivated attendees and received applaudes from industry experts at the week-long 55th edition of the Paris Air Show, which opened to the general public from Friday to Sunday.
Cutting-edge aviation and aerospace innovations brought by over 70 Chinese exhibitors drew large crowds to bustling exhibition halls at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. Among the most talked-about displays was the J-35A stealth fighter, making its debut outside China.
"I'm most interested in the J-35 on display. I'm looking forward to its export version and the carrier-based variant," said an engineer at the exhibition.
"Its exterior suggests strong stealth capabilities, and the aerodynamic design appears highly reliable," said another visitor who is an aircraft materials specialist.
At the booth of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), visitors explored its full spectrum of products including fighters, transport aircraft, training planes, helicopters, drones, and guided weapons, which highlighted the company's transition from single-equipment development to integrated combat solutions.
Many industry insiders said China's aviation sector has achieved leapfrog progress.
"China's aviation industry has made made a phenomenal leap -- truly phenomenal. These companies haven't just caught up; you can sense they're now at the forefront," said a visitor.
In the exhibition area of civil aviation, China's homegrown C909 and C919, developed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), as well as its conceptual C929 airliner models stole the spotlight. Many visitors expressed hopes of flying on Chinese-made jets someday.
"Walking through this exhibit, it struck me that one day we'll see Chinese planes rival Airbus and Boeing," said a visitor.
"Given the chance, we'd absolutely choose to fly on a Chinese aircraft," another visitor said. "Nearly everything today is made in China -- we trust those products, so why not these planes?" her friend added.
Attendees at Paris Air Show amazed by Chinese aviation products
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
