China shows off homemade fighters at Paris Air Show
Companies and other organizations from China, as well as 47 other countries and territories, are taking part.
A total of 76 entities from China are participating this year. That's more than twice the number that took part in the previous show in 2023.
They are apparently taking the opportunity to increase China's presence in the weapons export market. Among the aircraft they are exhibiting are the J-10 fighter and the J-35, the country's latest stealth fighter jet.
China exports its J-10 fighter to Pakistan. The Pakistani military claims that the aircraft last month shot down French-made Rafale fighters deployed by the Indian military.
Chinese media have been touting the alleged incident as a sign of the advancement of the country's military technology.
As for China's displays at the air show, a senior official of a development firm was quoted as saying that China's aviation industry has transformed from a follower to a viable competitor.
Representatives from the defense industry and others from many nations have been visiting China's displays and asking about the performance of Chinese fighters.
A representative from the European aviation industry said China has a big business opportunity in the market and that the country has become a strong rival for them.
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