China’s PLA air force unveils combat formations, precision bombers at Changchun Air Show

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force staged a thrilling aerial showcase on Saturday morning, featuring advanced aircraft in combat formations and aerobatic maneuvers at the 2025 aviation open-day activities and the Changchun Air Show in northeast China's Jilin Province.

Hosted by the PLA Air Force, the open-day activities run from September 19 to 23, with the air show taking center stage.

A YY-20A tanker flew in a pre-refueling formation with two J-16 fighter jets, showcasing its refueling ability during real combat. Compared with the previous H-6 tanker, the YY-20 tanker has a larger fuel capacity, enabling it to perform aerial refueling for various domestically developed fighter jets, which significantly enhances the strike radius of fighter jets.

A formation of two H-6 bombers from the PLA Air Force’s Harbin Flight Academy performed a low-altitude flyby, marking the bomber’s debut at the aviation open-day event. The H-6 bomber’s appearance offered a comprehensive glimpse into China’s integrated combat system, highlighting both offensive and defensive capabilities. The H-6H variant is the PLA Air Force’s first bomber equipped for precision strikes.

Meanwhile, two J-16 fighter jets demonstrated a dual-aircraft combat circling maneuver, which is of significant practical value, as engaging in aerial dogfights often requires getting behind the opponent to launch weapons. A notable feature of the J-16 is its two-seat configuration. With an additional pilot, it allows for easier control of the weapons and facilitates better observation and decision-making.

Additionally, a KJ-500 early warning aircraft escorted by four J-20 stealth fighter jets made a system demonstration, showcasing the aircraft's ability of being the eyes and ears of the entire fleet during real combat.

After disbanding with the KJ-200, the four J-20 fighter jets conducted a flyby in a diamond-shaped formation, after which they performed a crossing maneuver in two groups.

Designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, an Aviation Industry Corp of China subsidiary in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the J-20 is China’s first stealth-class combat aircraft and so far the largest and heaviest fighter in service in the military.

China’s PLA air force unveils combat formations, precision bombers at Changchun Air Show

Enterprises from the United States are welcome to seize the development opportunities in China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the country, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Sunday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with a delegation of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC).

Noting that China-U.S. ties are the world's most important bilateral relations, He said it is hoped that the USCBC will continue to play its role as a bridge to promote friendly exchanges and the steady and healthy development of economic and trade relations between China and the United States.

It is also hoped that U.S. enterprises can fully seize the development opportunities in China, make good use of the potential of the Chinese market, and inject more stability and positive energy into China-U.S. economic and trade relations, He added.

Rajesh Subramaniam, board chair of the USCBC, Sean Stein, president of the USCBC, and other members from the delegation noted that the U.S. business sector is optimistic about China's economic development prospects. They expressed the willingness to further explore the Chinese market, play an active role, and continuously deepen the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

U.S. enterprises are welcome to seize development opportunities in China: vice premier