Chinese PLA aerobatic team's performance strengthens int'l friendship at Singapore Airshow: spokesman

The display of the Bayi (August 1) Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force at the 10th Singapore Airshow helped strengthen international friendships, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, in Beijing on Tuesday.

The 10th Singapore Airshow opened on Feb 3 at the Changi Exhibition Center. The Bayi Aerobatic Team of the Chinese PLA Air Force delivered a flight performance featuring six J-10C fighter jets on the day.

The performance marked the team's first public appearance in Singapore after it transitioned to the J-10C aircraft.

"From Feb 3 to 8, the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force participated in the 10th Singapore Airshow upon invitation. This marked the team's return to Singapore after six years and their first public appearance in the country with the J-10C fighter following its equipment upgrade. The Chinese Air Force dispatched a YY-20A tanker plane to accompany and provide supplies to the aerobatic team, helping them arrive at the destination in a one-stop journey through mid-air refueling," Jiang said.

"During the airshow, the Bayi Aerobatic Team participated in three formal performances, executing signature maneuvers including six-aircraft synchronized rolls, the five-aircraft goose-formation flybys, and the single-aircraft knife-edge pass. They released red, yellow, and white smoke trails, whose colors symbolize the national flags of China and Singapore, to highlight the friendship between the two countries. The team also interacted with and performed alongside its counterparts from various countries, earning widespread acclaim," he added.

"This Singapore visit represented the 13th international appearance of the Bayi Aerobatic Team. Soaring through the skies, they have demonstrated China's prowess and built bridges of friendship across mountains and seas. Looking forward, the Chinese Air Force will continue to fly higher and farther and work with air forces around the world to safeguard the skies of peace through unrelenting effort," said the spokesman.

Chinese PLA aerobatic team's performance strengthens int'l friendship at Singapore Airshow: spokesman

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Longfusi commercial area in Beijing's Dongcheng District on Tuesday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited primary-level officials and residents in Beijing during a two-day inspection tour from Monday to Tuesday, extending Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people at home and abroad ahead of the festival.

When visiting the Longfusi commercial area, Xi learned about festival market supplies and urban renewal efforts.

Xi said he was very pleased to see the bustling, vibrant festive scene and plentiful holiday goods on sale there.

Located on the east side of the Beijing Central Axis, Longfusi is a cultural landmark dating back 600 years.

The area has revitalized historical memories through digital technology and reshaped lifestyles with diverse business formats, becoming a "golden business card" for cultural consumption.

The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese. It falls on Feb 17 this year.

Xi visits downtown commercial area in Beijing ahead of Spring Festival