PRESIDENT Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China), which started yesterday in the southern port city of Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

China has been committed to advancing the development of aviation and aerospace technology with other countries, Xi said in the letter read by Li Xi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, at the opening ceremony.

Xi said human beings have long been attracted to explore the infinite skies since ancient times and the dream of flying has been held through the generations in China. Since the 19th century, tremendous achievements have been made in global aviation and aerospace technology, promoting the progress of human civilizations.

“Looking into the future, aviation and aerospace technological progress is sure to bring more benefits to human beings,” he said.

He noted that Airshow China has become one of the most influential international aviation and aerospace exhibitions with efforts made over more than two decades and plays a positive role in advancing world aviation and aerospace technological development.

Xi expressed his belief that the current exhibition will vigorously boost the development of global aviation and aerospace technology, promote international exchange and cooperation, and make contributions to ensuring people around the world benefit from achievements in the field.

Airshow China, which will wrap up Sunday, is an international aviation and aerospace trade show that has been held every two years since 1996 in Zhuhai.

This year, more than 700 exhibitors from over 40 countries and regions will showcase their latest aviation and aerospace technologies and products at the exhibition.

Yesterday, also the opening day, featured a half-hour display by the air force’s Bayi aerobatic team, and a six-minute show by three J-20 fighter jets. Saudi and Pakistani pilots also conducted a fly-past in the afternoon.

Inside, China and Russia unveiled a life-size model of a proposed wide-body long-haul jet, CR929, at the exhibition.

The mockup, which is 22 meters long, 6.5 meters tall and 5.9 meters wide, shows a roomy interior with 9-abreast basic seating in economy class.

Also, a full-size model of the core module of China’s space station Tianhe made its debut yesterday.

The core module will mainly serve as the control and management aspect of the space and for the astronaut’s living conditions. It will have autonomous flight capability, support the astronauts’ long-time stay in outer space and help them conduct experiments concerning aerospace medicine and space science.

(Xinhua)