Is China’s J-20 stealth fighter being readied for a Hong Kong flypast?
Sources suggest advanced jet could take part in the city’s celebrations, with visit likely to coincide with the arrival of Liaoning, China’s aircraft carrier
China’s new generation stealth fighter jet, the J-20, may fly to Hong Kong to join the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China, according to two independent sources close to the military.
The first said the J-20 may join the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison and the country’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, which will visit Hong Kong this week.
The aircraft carrier is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong on Friday and to leave on July 11. It will lead a flotilla that will also feature guided-missile destroyers, missile frigates, J-15 fighter jets and helicopters, Chinese navy spokesperson Liang Yang said on Sunday.
The warships will be open for public to visit on July 8 and 9.
“The PLA air force has suggested [that the] J-20 fly to Hong Kong to join the full-scale military exercises for the handover celebration,” the source, who requested anonymity, told the South China Morning Post.