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Laura Zhou

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force put its newest home-grown military transport aircraft into service yesterday – extending Beijing’s ability to deploy its forces around the world as it pursues a greater global role.
The air force said the Y-20, which can take off with a load of up to 200 tonnes, was designed to move cargo and troops over “long distances in diverse weather”.
China's new long-distance military plane to 'enhance global reach'
China is boosting its ambitious modernisation programme just as tensions rise over territorial disputes between Beijing and neighbours in the East and South China seas.
“The Y-20’s entrance into service marks a crucial step for the air force in improving its ability in strategic power projection,” air force spokesman Shen Jinke said.
Y-20 heavy transport aircraft to boost military capabilities
The air force needed more and better transport aircraft to fulfil its military duties, such as safeguarding national security, as well as rescue and relief work, Shen said.
Xu Qiliang, deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission, said at the ceremony to hand over the aircraft in Chengdu (成都) in Sichuan (四川) province that more effort was needed to boost innovative development to foster a new stronger air transport force.

The Y-20 completed its maiden flight in January 2013 and debuted at the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in November 2014.
China has been increasing its research into advanced new military equipment, including submarines, aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles. The moves have raised concerns regionally and in Washington as Beijing adopts a more muscular approach to territorial disputes.
The construction of artificial islands capable of hosting military facilities in the South China Sea has increased tensions with rival claimants to regional waters, such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
Military experts said the Y-20, which has a range of up to 5,000km, was crucial to boosting Beijing’s defence capability in such disputed waters.
Chinese military aircraft likely to land at new airport in disputed area of South China Sea in coming months, says ex-PLA officer
China is holding naval drills in the South China Sea ahead of a ruling by the Permanent Court of ­Arbitration on territorial claims in the contested waters launched by the Philippines.
“It means that once any incident happens, the transport aircraft is capable of quickly moving large tanks, air-defence missiles [and] troops to the area,” said Yue Gang, a retired colonel.
Li Jie, a Beijing-based military expert, said the Y-20 gave the military a chance to show its growing expertise in building aircraft as the same techniques could be applied to bombers.
Additional reporting by Reuters and Agence France-Presse


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China’s military

China extends military wings with new home-grown transport plane

Chen Gang (front), a division commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, takes the oath at the Y-20’s handover ceremony in Chengdu on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

(160706) -- CHENGDU, July 6, 2016 (Xinhua) -- File photo shows the Y-20, China's homegrown large transport aircraft. Y-20 officially joined the People's Liberation Army Air Force on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Chang) (wyo)

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Home-grown Y-20 transport aircraft is vital addition to defence as tensions rise with neighbours over territorial rows, say experts
