The 2024 edition of Airshow China showcased the most advanced military aviation platforms ever publicly presented by the People’s Republic of China, with contracts reportedly exceeding 280 billion yuan during the week. With 1,022 exhibitors from 47 countries and nearly 600,000 visitors, this year’s show highlighted next-generation combat aviation, hypersonic development, unmanned systems, and China’s expanding international defence partnerships. Notably, it was the first airshow to feature three distinct stealth fighter designs on the same bill: China’s J-20, China’s J-35A, and Russia’s Su-57.
Despite extremely high demand for public tickets, MAR members successfully attended this world-class event and documented its highlights.
Zhuhai Airport (ZUH) – Airshow Operations
Zhuhai Airport, located southwest of the city and close to Macau, serves both domestic and limited international routes. It functions as a hub for China Southern Airlines and hosts the biennial China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.
During the show, the airport operates with restricted hours—open from early morning until 11:00 a.m., and then again from 17:00 onwards—ensuring uninterrupted flying displays without disrupting airline schedules.
The airport’s surroundings offer excellent vantage points for aviation photography, particularly the garden area opposite the abandoned hotels, which provides outstanding opportunities for dynamic airshow shots.
Key Trends Highlighted at the Trade Show
The exhibition offered a wide range of insights into future battlefield technologies.
Notable themes included:
- Stealth dominance (J-20, J-35A, Su-57)
- AI-driven drones and loyal wingman concepts
- Expansion of carrier aviation capabilities
- Long-range precision strike systems
- Autonomous swarm technologies
- New propulsion developments and indigenous avionics
China clearly used the show to emphasise its rapid progress towards becoming a full-spectrum aerospace power, underscored by the simultaneous public presence of J-20, J-35A, and multiple advanced Flanker derivatives.
International Participation
Six countries took part with official delegations or corporate representation:
- Russia – Su-57, Su-35, UAV technologies
- France – Thales defence systems
- Germany – Avionics and simulation technologies
- Saudi Arabia – Procurement delegations
- Italy – Leonardo Aerospace Solutions
- Brazil – Embraer Defence
Military Aircraft Highlights
Rehearsals and Opening Demonstrations
Rehearsals began on Friday, already promising an exceptional show. The Hongdu JL-10 opened the flying programme, demonstrating the capabilities offered to China’s next generation of military aviators.
It was followed by an impressive display from the Shenyang J-16, the highly modernised Chinese derivative of the Su-27. The pilots showcased superb handling and manoeuvrability.
The Y-20U tanker then performed an excellent demonstration, highlighting China’s expanding strategic airlift and aerial refuelling capabilities—an important successor to the ageing IL-76 fleet; fleet; for the first time, visitors were also able to see a Y-20 cargo hold opened to the public.
Stealth and Fifth-Generation Displays
A formation of J-20 Mighty Dragons performed high-speed passes, underlining the type’s popularity with domestic audiences, including a multi-ship routine featuring formation breaks, afterburning manoeuvres, and a dramatic tandem departure concluding the sequence.
One of the most anticipated moments was the debut of the J-35A, China’s land-based stealth variant, which executed a single high-speed pass with afterburner followed by an unrestricted climb—its first public unveiling and a milestone that makes China the second nation after the US to field two operational stealth fighters. The J-35A’s tail carried PLAAF 75th-anniversary markings, and visible airframe differences from the naval J-35 include a single-wheel nose gear and larger vertical stabilisers tailored to the land-based role.
The J-35A, a land-based development of Shenyang’s FC-31 lineage, has been positioned for PLAAF service with export interest also signalled historically; the variant seen at Zhuhai featured PLAAF-specific gear and control-surface differences relative to the naval J-35, with its debut flight profile intentionally brief but symbolically significant. Its public appearance alongside J-20 underlined the PLA’s confidence in sustaining two stealth-fighter lines in parallel.
Aerobatic Teams and Navy Demonstrations
The August 1st Aerobatic Team delivered its popular multicoloured display, joined at the event by the Red Eagles team on selected days.
The Chinese Navy presented a dynamic role demonstration featuring J-15 variants in a three-ship formation, showcasing both electronic warfare and strike potential with visible EW pods and multi-role armament configurations, aligned with the PLAN’s shift towards CATOBAR operations with the Fujian carrier.
International Flying Displays
Russia’s Russian Knights returned with a crowd-pleasing routine, leveraging the Su-35’s thrust-vectoring and range to deliver extended formation and solo sequences.
Test pilot Sergey Bogdan flew the Su-57 in a tightly choreographed, high-alpha routine including dramatic slow-speed elements. The take-off alone—roughly a ten-second roll from a runway section under one kilometre—left a strong impression.
In addition to flight demonstrations, Russia showcased the Su-57E export configuration and an associated weapons set including standoff and anti-radiation munitions, reinforcing the type’s marketing push to international audiences. Commentary around the display noted the emphasis on super-manoeuvrability and survivability features, aligning with the live demonstration’s dramatic high-alpha envelope.
Rotary-Wing Highlights
The afternoon segment showcased China’s rotary-wing capabilities. The Navy demonstrated troop insertion and transport roles with Z-8 and Z-20F helicopters flying low and slow in formation.
The Army followed with displays from the Z-8G, Z-10, and Z-20, featuring formation passes and impressive individual routines.
Weekend Programme and Additional Displays
The weekend schedule largely repeated the Friday programme, with the addition of the Karakorum JL-8 display team flying an eight-ship formation. The static area was extensive, including frontline PLAAF and PLAN aircraft such as J-10C, J-15T, H-6K, and KQ-200, alongside ISR and air-defence systems like HQ-19 and multiple UAV families, as well as spare airframes from the flying participants from JL-10 to KJ-500.
Conclusion
The China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition remains one of Asia’s most remarkable aviation events, offering an extraordinary insight into China’s rapidly advancing air force, navy, and army aviation capabilities.
MAR members thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will certainly plan to attend future editions of the show.