PLA Air Force showcases cutting-edge technology at September Open Day

# By Sanket Kirati

Changchun, China – August 11, 2025: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will resume its high-profile aviation open-day activities alongside the Changchun Air Show this September, marking the event’s return after a two-year hiatus since the last edition in 2023. Military analysts anticipate the event will serve as a significant platform to intensively display the Air Force’s latest weaponry and demonstrate advancements in combat readiness.

According to an official PLA Air Force statement released Sunday, the events will run from September 19th to 23rd in Changchun, Jilin Province. The program will feature dynamic flight performances, ground static displays, and thematic exhibitions.

A Showcase of Modernization: Posters released by the PLA Air Force confirm the participation of the elite Bayi Aerobatic Team with their J-10C and J-10S fighter jets, and the Red Falcon Aerobatic Team with their JL-8 (K-8) intermediate trainer jets. However, experts predict much more will be on display.

Military affairs expert Fu Qianshao emphasized the event’s strategic importance to the Global Times on Sunday. “The PLA Air Force open-day activities and Changchun Air Show often feature flight performances by many types of aircraft,” Fu stated, adding that the event provides a crucial window into the PLA Air Force’s “latest developments in weapons and equipment as well as its achievements in combat training.”

Anticipated Highlights & Potential Surprises:
* Return of Top Performers: Fu expects crowd favorites like the advanced J-20 stealth fighter, the powerful J-16, and the highly capable J-10C to deliver spectacular aerial displays once again. The J-10C, fresh from the successful combat performance of its export variant in foreign exercises, is predicted to be a major public draw.
* Debut Possibilities: Fu expressed strong hopes that the PLA Air Force’s latest stealth fighter, the J-35A, which made its global debut at Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, could appear in Changchun. He even suggested the potential for “even newer types of weapons and equipment” to be revealed.
* Ground Displays & Heritage: Beyond cutting-edge jets, Fu noted that past Changchun events have effectively blended modernity with history. Ground displays are expected to include not only advanced aircraft, radar, and air defense missile systems but also legacy aircraft that once guarded China’s skies, highlighting the Air Force’s historical evolution and enduring spirit.

Distinct Focus: Fu drew a clear distinction between the Changchun event and the larger Zhuhai Airshow. While Zhuhai offers a broader perspective on China’s overall defense industrial capabilities, the PLA Air Force open-day activities in Changchun provide a much deeper, service-specific focus, offering unparalleled insight into the Air Force’s operational assets, training culture, and strategic direction.

Analysis: The return of the Changchun event signals the PLA Air Force’s continued commitment to controlled transparency and public engagement. The anticipated displays, particularly the possible inclusion of the J-35A or newer systems, will be closely scrutinized by regional observers and military analysts as indicators of the pace and direction of China’s air power modernization and its confidence in showcasing near-peer capabilities. The event serves both as a potent domestic morale booster and a strategic messaging platform on the international stage.