China's August 1st aerobatic team flies over Great Wall for air force anniversary
Six J-10 fighter jets from the People's Liberation Army Air Force's August 1st aerobatic team flew over the Yalunguan section of the Great Wall in Tianjin on Friday morning, marking the 77th anniversary of the air force's founding. The team previously flew over Egypt's pyramids in 2024.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force's August 1st aerobatic team flew six J-10 display aircraft over the Yalunguan section of the Great Wall in Tianjin on Friday morning, marking the 77th anniversary of the air force's founding, state broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong reported.
The aircraft performed a low-altitude valley flight in a tight formation, with the six jets maintaining minimal spacing. The planes released red, yellow and blue smoke trails during the flyover.
Team leader Li Bin said the Great Wall flyover followed the team's 2024 flight over Egypt's pyramids. "The pyramids bear witness to humanity's ancient civilisation, while the Great Wall is the spiritual totem of the Chinese nation," Li said. He added that flying over these world landmarks showcased the strategic air force's open and confident image.
"As the air force's modernisation continues to advance, the team's flight path will extend to even further places," Li said.
The August 1st aerobatic team, named after the founding date of the PLA, serves as the air force's public display unit. Its previous international appearance included the 2024 flyover of the Giza pyramids in Egypt.
The Great Wall flyover took place at the Yalunguan section, a restored Ming dynasty fortification in Tianjin municipality, about 120 kilometres southeast of Beijing.