World · East Asia & Pacific · 48 mins ago
China marks 77 years of its air force
China marked 77 years since the founding of its air force on November 11, 2026.
At the 1949 founding ceremony of the People’s Republic, only 17 aircraft flew over Tiananmen Square, and nine had to make a second pass because there were too few planes.
The air force later fought in the Korean War, and its pilots carried out China’s first air-dropped atomic bomb test in 1965.
It has also taken part in overseas evacuations and disaster relief, including bringing Chinese citizens home from Libya in 2011 and helping open a rescue route after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
The force now fields J-20 and J-35A stealth aircraft, which the account presents as marking a new stage in its capabilities.
New military capabilities are due to appear at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai this December, where the air force also plans to open an aircraft cargo hold to visitors.
China marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of its air force on November 11, 2026.
The anniversary article contrasted the 17 aircraft that flew over Tiananmen Square in 1949 with today’s more advanced aircraft.
It highlighted the J-20 and J-35A as a pair of stealth aircraft and described the air force’s expanding transport and operational capabilities.
The article also recalled the air force’s roles in the Korean War, nuclear testing, overseas evacuations and disaster relief.
- Who
- China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
- What
- China marked the air force’s 77th anniversary, reflecting on its history and development.
- When
- November 11, 2026.
- Where
- China; the article also recalls events involving the air force overseas.
- Why
- To mark the anniversary of the air force’s founding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
17 aircraft flew over Tiananmen Square at the founding celebrations, with nine flying over twice because there were not enough aircraft.
The air force entered the Korean War, less than a year after it was formed.
Chinese air force personnel carried out the country’s first airborne atomic bomb test.
The air force sent transport aircraft overseas for the first time to evacuate Chinese citizens from Libya.
China marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of its air force.
- Anniversary
- 77 years, marked November 11, 2026
- Founding parade
- 17 aircraft flew over Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949
- Korean War sorties
- 26,491 combat takeoffs and 4,872 combat missions
- Libya evacuation
- 1,655 people were taken to Khartoum and 287 to Beijing
- Stealth aircraft
- J-20 and J-35A described as the air force’s “double stealth” era
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What people are saying
China has almost overnight become one of the world’s major air powers.
81192 received, I can no longer return, please continue forward!
I am willing to give everything I have to save the lives of the people in the disaster area and realize the value of our soldiers.