The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force marked its 77th founding anniversary on Wednesday, highlighting its journey from a modest beginning to a modernizing force with a structure geared toward future operational needs.
In an anniversary video, the Air Force, founded on Nov. 11, 1949, showcased training exercises involving fighter jets, bombers, early warning aircraft, transport planes, helicopters and drones, as well as ground-based air defense missile units, radar units and airborne troops.
The video, released Wednesday on the service's official social media accounts, also highlighted the Air Force's participation in disaster relief and international exchanges, drawing a wave of congratulatory messages.
Anniversary celebrations had begun earlier this month, with events held in different parts of the country.
On Monday morning, eight flight instructors from the Aviation University of the Air Force in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, took to the skies in jet trainers for an aerial display.
That evening, 3,000 drones lit up the sky in a light show depicting the Air Force's evolution, from horse-towed propeller-driven trainer aircraft, to advanced aircraft such as J-20 stealth fighter and Y-20 transport plane.
On Nov. 6, six J-10 jets from the PLA Air Force's Bayi (August 1) Aerobatic Team flew over the Great Wall in north China's Tianjin Municipality as part of the celebrations. The team derives its name from the founding anniversary of the PLA.
"The Great Wall was once a barrier against invaders," said Zha Xiufeng, one of the pilots. "Today, we pilots serve as an 'airborne Great Wall,' safeguarding the peace and security of countless families."
The PLA Air Force started with a small fleet of outdated aircraft. During the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, only 17 aircraft were available for parade.
In the following years, the Air Force shot down or damaged more than 3,800 enemy aircraft, according to official figures. More than 1,800 Air Force personnel have given their lives in combat operations, scientific research tasks, and dedication to the interests of the people.
The PLA Air Force's three-step development roadmap, issued in 2018, set targets to build a strategic air force by 2020, basically establish a modernized strategic air force by 2035, and become a world-class air force by the middle of the century.
The 16th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, scheduled to run from Dec. 7 to 13 in Zhuhai, will offer the world a glimpse of the PLA Air Force's latest developments.
The Air Force said multiple types of its main combat equipment would make their debut at the show. Equipment for aerial reconnaissance, early warning, air defense, support, airborne operations, unmanned applications and intelligent systems, as well as munitions, will also be displayed at the exhibition.
"Bringing more domestically developed new-generation aircraft closer to the public and taking Air Force stories into households across the country are commitments we will continue to uphold," said Gao Xiang, a senior Air Force official.
As the PLA Air Force has developed, its international engagement has also expanded.
In 2026, the Bayi Aerobatic Team performed at the 10th Singapore Airshow, while a range of aircraft, including fighters, tankers, special-purpose aircraft and helicopters, took part in the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization 2026" joint air force training as an integrated force.
Moreover, Chinese and Russian air forces conducted a joint strategic patrol over the western Pacific and other airspace, demonstrating their resolve and capability to uphold regional peace and stability. Chinese and Belarusian airborne troops also held urban counterterrorism exercises in central China.
"We will continue to engage with our counterparts around the world, build mutual trust through interaction, deepen cooperation through exchanges, and work together to safeguard the shared airspace of humanity," Gao said.
