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‘We’ll meet you in the sky’: Chinese air force commander challenges US military goal to ‘scare China’
- Deputy PLA Air Force commander Wang Wei addresses American ambitions as China shows its premier stealth fighter jet fitted with home-grown engine
- Zhuhai Airshow showcases China’s moves to replace foreign technologies with domestic creations as part of its increasing self-reliance
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As China flexed its most advanced stealth fighter jets fitted with home-grown engines at the nation’s biggest air show, a Chinese commander responded to an American challenge with an invitation to the US military to meet the PLA “in the sky” .
The comments on Wednesday by deputy air force commander Wang Wei of the People’s Liberation Army came after US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in August that China’s military modernisation programmes had been faster than expected, and there was a need for the US to stay ahead with more leading technologies that “scare China”.
Responding to the comment during the Zhuhai Airshow on Wednesday, Wang said “recently a counterpart of mine who is from a major country claims that he wants to scare China”.
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Chinese drones among new military aircraft highlighted at Zhuhai Airshow
Chinese drones among new military aircraft highlighted at Zhuhai Airshow
“The Chinese navy is capable and confident to ensure national security and defend integrity, as well as make a contribution to world peace,” he said.
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“I can only say, if they are not scared [by China’s capabilities], let us meet in the sky.”
The Zhuhai Airshow, officially known as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, is held every second year but was postponed in 2020 for almost a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chinese military and aerospace firms have had a stronger presence at the show, with strict quarantine rules limiting attendance from overseas.
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