According to China Central Television (CCTV) military news on July 21, at the 2023 Air Force Aviation Open Day and Changchun Air Show press conference, Colonel Xie Peng, the newly appointed Air Force spokesperson, appeared and briefed the audience about the event.
As per Colonel Xie Peng’s introduction, this year’s Changchun Air Show will present in real-life the scenes that were previously seen only in pictures, featuring the Y-20 transport aircraft, J-20 stealth fighter, and J-16 multirole fighter together.
The Air Force Changchun Open Day event is scheduled from July 26 to July 30. The activities will include four main sections: “Aerial Demonstrations, Ground Static Displays, Theme Pavilions, and Supporting Events.” These segments aim to showcase the development and achievements of the People’s Air Force.
During the press conference, Colonel Zhang Shouhai from the Air Force General Staff introduced additional features for this year’s air show. They will include simulated air combat demonstrations featuring two aircraft pairs: J-10 and J-10 (same type) in a mock confrontation and J-10S and J-11BS (different types) in another simulated air battle.
In addition to the air combat simulations, the air show will showcase the Y-20 transport aircraft conducting low-altitude flare release and the Y-20 and J-20 forming a four-aircraft escort formation flying at low altitudes. These elements enhance the overall display and provide more exciting and diverse content for the spectators.
Colonel Hou Jianzhong from the Air Force Equipment Department stated that this year’s air show would feature 137 pieces of ground static equipment for display, belonging to 96 different types.
Additionally, compared to the previous air show, there will be new additions to the active equipment showcased, including the Wing Loong-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), J-16 fighter aircraft, Z-20 utility helicopter, KJ-500A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, and the PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer.
These equipment additions highlight the advancements and modernization of the Chinese Air Force, providing the audience with a glimpse of the latest and most capable aircraft and technologies in service.
This year’s aviation open day event is a significant occasion to celebrate – the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Korean War (known as the “War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea” in China). In honour of this historic milestone, the Air Force will extend invitations to representatives from some heroic squadrons who participated in the Korean War air battles.
These honoured guests, who have shown exceptional courage and bravery during the conflict, will be present at the event to revisit the history of the air battles and share their stories with the audience. The Air Force plans to commemorate this great victory uniquely, especially by showcasing its respect and gratitude towards these veterans and their contributions to the nation’s history.
During the event, three air show teams from the Chinese Air Force, namely the “August 1,” “Red Eagle,” and “Sky Wing,” will perform thrilling aerial displays, dancing across the blue sky. The “August 1” and “Blue Eagle” parachute teams will also take the stage for their performances. Notably, the “August 1st” aerobatic team will make its first domestic public appearance after transitioning to the J-10C fighter.
Furthermore, from July 24 to 26th, the city of Changchun will host a spectacular drone swarm performance, vividly showcasing classic moments from the founding ceremony of the People’s Republic of China and breathtaking scenes of the J-20 stealth fighter soaring through the skies. This event aims to provide the audience with awe-inspiring displays and memorable experiences.
