Chinese air force planes depart to participate in air show in Egypt

Eight Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force planes on Monday departed from an airport in Northwest China for an air show in Egypt that is scheduled to take place from September 3-5, according to China's Ministry of National Defense on Monday.

The planes include one Y-20 - China's domestically developed large transport aircraft - and seven J-10 performance aircraft from the Bayi Aerobatic Team, according to the ministry.

Xie Peng, a spokesperson for the air force of the PLA, said that this will be the Bayi Aerobatic Team's first performance in an African country and also the farthest flight overseas to date. During the air show, the Y-20 aircraft is set to make its debut performance abroad, according to Xie.

The formation is scheduled to fly over the pyramids in Egypt. Li Bin, leader of the Bayi Aerobatic Team, said the pyramids are a symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization and Li believes this event is sure to be a historical witness to the friendship between China and Egypt.

Pilot Yuan Bo noted that aircrew have streamlined the accompanying supplies and designed a specific set of maneuvers for the Y-20's debut performance.

Military expert Wang Mingzhi noted that the flight to Egypt will span nearly 10,000 kilometers with transfers and cross multiple time zones amid rapidly changing temperatures, and it will pose a challenge to the pilots' flying skills and physical endurance.