China’s Y-20 transport plane makes 1st overseas flight performance in Egypt

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's Y-20 large transport aircraft has made its first overseas flight performance at the ongoing Egypt International Airshow, with Chinese defense industry also displaying a wide selection of products, a move experts said on Wednesday reflected high levels of military exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between China and Egypt.

At invitation, a Y-20 aircraft and the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the PLA Air Force is attending the first edition of the Egypt International Airshow, which kicked off on Tuesday local time, the PLA Air Force said in a press release.

The Y-20 made its first overseas flight performance on Tuesday, as it carried out six maneuvers including large angle ascension and dive, large slope turning and fast landing, showing the aircraft's outstanding maneuverability, the PLA Air Force said.

J-10 fighter jets belonging to the Bayi Aerobatic Team are also scheduled to deliver flight performances at the airshow in Egypt, according to the PLA Air Force.

The Egypt International Airshow is being held at El Alamein International Airport from Tuesday to Thursday.

Prior to the airshow, the Y-20 and the J-10 fighter jets flew over the Giza Pyramids for the first time on August 28, in a move to mark the deep friendship between China and Egypt, the PLA Air Force said in a separate release.

The event also marked the Bayi Aerobatic Team's first performance mission in an African country, according to Xie Peng, a PLA Air Force spokesperson.

China's flight performances and exhibition of some of its top defense products at the Egypt International Airshow reflect the country's eagerness to enhance military exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with Egypt and other African countries, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The performances of the Y-20 and the J-10 aircraft could attract more potential clients in the region, analysts said.