A J-20 stealth fighter jet is on static display for the first time at the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force aviation open-day activities and the Changchun Air Show in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, on September 19, 2025. Photo: GT staff reporters

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force aviation open-day activities and the Changchun Air Show officially kicked off on Friday in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province. From the static display of the J-10 aircraft in the first edition of the event in 2011 to the first static display of the J-20 warplane in 2025, the PLA Air Force has established a modern combat system with advanced military aircraft such as the J-20 at its core, along with early warning systems and electronic warfare and transport aircraft, covering multiple mission types including air superiority, land attack and surface attack. 

"The J-10 was put on static display at the first edition of the air show in Changchun in 2011, and in the same year, the J-20 had its maiden flight. Today, the J-20 is shown in static display for the first time, allowing the public to observe it up close. This demonstrates that the PLA Air Force has become more open and confident, and also reflects technological upgrades and progress," Zhang Xuefeng, a military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday in Changchun.

The first static display of the J-20 is a rare opportunity, Zhang said. "By observing the J-20 up close, people can see it more clearly and appreciate the expertise behind it. People can gain insight into its design details, especially in terms of craftmanship. You can clearly see whether the rivets are cross-shaped or hexagonal, and even the stealth coating is visible," Zhang said.

The enthusiasm from the public for the J-20 has been overwhelming. When the aircraft landed for the static display, following its aerial performance about an hour and a half earlier, crowds had already gathered outside the exhibition area, waiting to see the stealth fighter jet.

Global Times reporters got a close look at the J-20, and were able to observe its exquisite exterior and meticulous craftsmanship.

The J-20 features a lift-body design with canards and strake wings. During the static display, it showcased its fully movable canards and vertical tails, which not only give the J-20 a high lift-to-drag ratio but also excellent maneuverability and controllability.

Stealth is a key feature of the J-20. It incorporates stealth design not only in its shape, with the edges of the fuselage and wings kept as parallel as possible and with right angles avoided to reduce the radar cross-section, but also in its finely crafted surface. Upon closer inspection, the surface of the J-20 appears exceptionally smooth, with meticulously processed rivets and seams.

Chang Nan, deputy chief designer at the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), participated in the structural design of the J-20. The J-20 extensively utilizes carbon fiber composite materials across its airframe, alongside a significant number of integrated titanium and aluminum alloy frames and beam structures, Chang told the Global Times.

The development of the J-20 has driven China's progress in related fields, leading to significant advancements in both material technology and manufacturing capabilities, Chang noted.

Zhang said the J-20 shows that China now has even more advanced warplanes, with the J-20A and J-20S already unveiled. It also means the technologies in the baseline version of the J-20 are advancing.

Experts have said that beyond individual advanced warplanes, the most significant achievement in the development of the PLA Air Force's equipment is the formation of a complete operational equipment system that meets the needs of the PLA Air Force across different combat missions. 

Currently, the PLA Air Force has deployed advanced warplanes including the J-20, J-16, and J-10C, as well as the Y-20 large transport aircraft, H-6K/N bombers, the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and various types of unmanned aerial vehicles. These diverse types of aircraft, with their different functions, cooperate with one another, forming a comprehensive operational equipment system.

Various kinds of aircraft delivered flight performances at the Changchun Air Show, including the YU-20A tanker aircraft, the J-16 fighter jet, the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, the H-6 bomber, the K-8 trainer jet, the J-20 fighter jet, the JJ-9 fighter trainer, the JL-10 advanced trainer jet, the J-10S fighter jet and the J-11BS fighter jet.

"The equipment have been presented systematically, covering multiple types of aircraft such as trainer aircraft, fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and early warning aircraft," Zhang said.