The 2023 Changchun Air Show kicks off in Changchun, Jilin province on Wednesday. [Photo by Tian Jiaxin/For chinadaily.com.cn] Breathtaking displays expected to draw 700,000 visitors to 5-day aviation show Stunning maneuvers by a fleet of People's Liberation Army Air Force aircraft at the 2023 Air Force Open-House Activity and Changchun Air Show left tens of thousands of visitors enthralled on Wednesday in Changchun, capital of Jilin province.

The 2023 Changchun Air Show kicks off in Changchun, Jilin province on July 26, 2023. [Photo by Tian Jiaxin/For chinadaily.com.cn] Each time the planes conducted a breathtaking maneuver, the crowd cheered and applauded, the din competing with the sound of camera shutters clicking furiously. The event is being held at the PLA Air Force Aviation University in Changchun. This is the first time that the J-20, J-16 and YY-20A, all top hardware in the Air Force, are appearing for flight performances at the same time.

The 2023 Changchun Air Show kicks off in Changchun, Jilin province on July 26, 2023. [Photo by Tian Jiaxin/For chinadaily.com.cn] It is also the first time that four J-20 jets are taking part in flight maneuvers simultaneously in an air show. Previously, four J-20s have flown together during another major air show in China, but while two carried out maneuvers, the other two only did a flyover. Another major attraction on the first day of the air show was the aerial combat maneuvers by the J-10S and J-11S twin-seat fighter jets. Spectators braved the scorching sun for hours to witness the pilots' dogfight performance. The Air Force has sent its aerobatic teams to perform stunts during the event. Also on Wednesday, its paratroopers showed off their skills to visitors.

The 2023 Changchun Air Show kicks off in Changchun, Jilin province on July 26, 2023. [Photo by Tian Jiaxin/For chinadaily.com.cn] Wang Longyu, a primary school student from Beijing who was attending the air show with his parents, said the J-20 stealth fighters impressed him the most. "The J-20s have China's most advanced aircraft engine and missiles. This aircraft is making our motherland stronger. "I had seen the J-20 in movies and on television, but I had never seen the real thing till today. Seeing it makes me more interested in becoming an aircraft designer or pilot," he said.

The 2023 Changchun Air Show kicks off in Changchun, Jilin province on July 26, 2023. [Photo by Tian Jiaxin/For chinadaily.com.cn] His mother, who wished to be identified by her surname Xie, said she and her husband brought their son to Changchun to help him experience the power of China's advanced aircraft fleet and the latest achievements of the Air Force firsthand. "Thanks to our son we have now become aviation fans. He loves reading about aircraft and weapons. This is the first time we have brought him to an air show. I hope this tour will help to enhance his patriotic sentiment, because this will enable him to personally see the accomplishment of our Air Force and the aviation industry," Xie said.