Zhuhai: As China’s premier air show in Zhuhai concluded its trade segment on Thursday, marked by rainy skies, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu made an appearance, just days after Russia’s Su-57 stealth jet made its debut outside Russian borders. The visit underscores China’s global influence and strategic ties with Russia, despite Moscow’s ongoing isolation from Western nations following its actions in Ukraine.
Shoigu, previously Russia’s defense minister, attended the exhibition halls where military technology—from air-defense systems to radar, missiles, and aircraft—was on full display. According to China’s state-run Global Times, Shoigu is in China for annual strategic security consultations. This year, the show also highlighted China’s expanding global reach, welcoming a Saudi Arabian delegation with its inaugural pavilion.
Military Dominance at Zhuhai
While previous iterations of the Zhuhai air show featured a prominent civilian aviation segment, this year’s focus shifted heavily toward military tech. China showcased advancements, including the highly anticipated J-35A stealth fighter, a mockup of the two-seat variant of its J-20 stealth fighter, cutting-edge helicopters, and state-of-the-art drones and missile defense systems.
Senior analyst Malcolm Davis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute commented on these developments, linking them to China’s ongoing modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA): “These developments suggest a continued broad modernisation of PLA capabilities to defeat U.S. and allied intervention capability as part of a counter-intervention strategy.” China’s military advancements aim to reinforce its Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2AD) strategy, which deters enemy forces from entering the battlefield directly.
China’s arms export data, provided by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in March, revealed that China, the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, has faced declining sales over the last decade, a trend influenced by shifting geopolitical factors.
Civilian Aviation Deals and New Launches
On the civilian side, China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC) attracted attention by announcing Air China as the launch customer for its new C929 widebody jet, which aligns with China’s ambitions in global aviation. While details on Air China’s order volume and delivery timeline remain undisclosed, COMAC also announced substantial deals: Hainan Airlines confirmed a firm order for 60 C919 jets and 40 C909s, while Colorful Guizhou Airlines signed a purchase agreement for 30 C909 planes.
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In another innovative unveiling, China’s state-owned AVIC showcased a model of a unique “spaceplane” designed to transport cargo to China’s space station.
Global Participants Eye Strategic Partnerships
Among foreign exhibitors, Airbus reported positive progress on Chinese certification for its A330neo model, with potential deliveries in China slated for 2025. George Xu, Airbus’s CEO in China, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to free trade, downplaying concerns about any repercussions from ongoing disputes between the European Union and China over electric vehicles or potential trade tensions under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Brazil’s aerospace company Embraer also expressed optimism about China’s role in strengthening its supply chain, citing upcoming trade talks as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva meets with China’s President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil. Embraer’s Chief Commercial Officer, Martyn Holmes, noted this as a crucial opportunity to deepen supply chain integration with Chinese suppliers, as China remains Brazil’s largest trade partner.
