Beijing: China’s new J-35A stealth fighter jet will make its debut next week at the country’s largest civil and military air show, a key event where Beijing highlights its growing aerospace capabilities. The China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, a biennial gathering, kicks off in Zhuhai on Tuesday, running for six days. The 2022 edition resulted in approximately $40 billion in “cooperation agreements”, according to the event organizers.
Developing domestic aerospace design and manufacturing is a top priority for Beijing, which is seeking to expand its regional military influence amid rising tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Reducing reliance on foreign imports is also crucial, especially with the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president. Trump has voiced strong opposition to trade with China, advocating for increased tariffs and decoupling supply chains from the Chinese economy.
At the show, China will display a range of military and commercial technologies, including drones, weapons systems, and aircraft. A major highlight will be the J-35A, a “medium-sized stealth multi-purpose fighter,” which the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has unveiled as part of its aircraft modernization plans.
The Fighter Jet
The J-35A, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, will take center stage as the star attraction of the event. It is a variant of the J-35, which China is developing for use on aircraft carriers. Although details on its performance remain limited, the J-35A resembles the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35, indicating a move toward increasing the capabilities of China’s military aviation. The J-35 program follows the J-31, which debuted at the Zhuhai air show in 2014 but was never adopted by the PLAAF or exported.
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Diplomats and analysts are closely monitoring the evolution of J-35 variants, given their importance to China’s aircraft carrier ambitions, which aim to expand operational range and enhance power projection beyond China’s waters. The PLAAF, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, will have its largest presence at the event.
China’s Commercial Aerospace Ambitions
In addition to military aircraft, this year’s Zhuhai show marks China’s growing focus on commercial aviation. China’s state-owned planemaker, COMAC, will showcase its efforts to challenge Western giants Airbus and Boeing. While Boeing will not have a direct presence due to internal issues, Airbus and Embraer are among the international exhibitors.
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One point of interest will be a potential rebranding of COMAC’s ARJ21 regional jet, with the aircraft seen recently bearing the new C909 designation. While this change is largely symbolic, it underscores Beijing’s desire to position itself as a legitimate alternative to the dominant Western manufacturers, despite facing challenges in achieving international certification and competing with Western-engineered aircraft.
China’s domestic market, the world’s second-largest after the U.S., continues to grow rapidly, with the demand for commercial airplanes set to soar. Boeing projects that China will need 8,830 new aircraft by 2043, as the country’s aviation fleet more than doubles.
