The J-10 multi-role fighter involves a significant amount of new military technology and puts the Chinese aviation industry on par with the best in the world, its developer says.
Wang Guangya, chairman of the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group, the J-10's main developer, said that although it had not been tested in combat, it was good enough to rival any western fourth-generation fighter, such as the US F-16 Fighting Falcon or Russia's Mikoyan MiG-29.
'We have been putting the J-10 through practice drills for years. Now we can finally show the J-10 to the public because we are very confident of its fighting capacity,' Mr Wang said.
'Through developing the J-10, China has greatly advanced its aviation industry and made us professional, world-class experts in new fighter design and development.'
He insisted the fighter's development was an attempt to strengthen China's defences and not to threaten any other country or region.
Pakistan has expressed strong interest in buying the J-10.