Preparations for the 14th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China), which will take place both online and on-site at the Zhuhai International Air Show Center in Jinwan from Nov 8 to 13, are proceeding smoothly, officials announced during a Sept 27 press conference in Beijing.

Chen Liangxian, vice governor of Guangdong Province, said that Airshow China is a grand feast representing the latest mainstream global aerospace technologies and has become a calling card for China to showcase its strength in aerospace and national defense science. 

An Airshow China press conference is held in Beijing on Sept 27 [Photo by Cheng Lin / Guanhai App]

Chen added that Guangdong will make full use of the event to move forward the layout of strategic industries like aerospace, advanced equipment manufacturing, and new generation information technology.

Highlights of this year's event were also unveiled during the press conference. More than 740 enterprises from 43 countries have confirmed their attendance, with all spaces in the 100,000-sqm (25-acre) indoor exhibition area reserved by Aug 31. Over 100 aircraft will be displayed, which is 10 percent more than last year's edition.

China Aerospace Science and Technology will bring 135 products to the event, including the China space station, which will be accessible to the public for the first time. Meanwhile, nearly 30 percent of China Aerospace Science and Industry's exhibits are making their Airshow China debut. 

Aero Engine Corporation will showcase more than 20 kinds of aero engines and gas turbines. Among them, the electric hybrid distributed propulsion system, hydrogen fuel engine, and low-cost engine will make their debut. In addition, 52 of the 175 products to be displayed by China North Industries Group and more than 60 of the 485 exhibits of China Electronics Technology Group will debut at the event. 

In addition, the Bayi (August 1st) Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force and Hongying (Red Eagle) Aerobatic Team of Aviation University of Air Force will stage aerial shows. Flight demonstrations of popular aircraft like the C919 single-aisle passenger airplane, the twin-engine regional jet ARJ 21, as well as the world's largest amphibious aircraft AG600 will also be showcased.

The online Airshow China platform will have a special column for science popularization to enable attendees to feel the charm of aerospace science and technology.

The brand-new image for Airshow China created by the design group from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (GAFA) behind Bing Dwen Dwen, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot, will be used on cultural creative products with both Airshow China elements and collection value.

The 2022 Zhuhai Forum and forum on national defense industry standardization development will be organized to shed light on issues like the development and planning of the aviation industry, while exchanges for the exhibitors and docking activities will take place during the event. 

Carnivals, such as art and food festivals, will be held during this year's Airshow China to fully showcase the charm of Zhuhai culture, Lingnan (Cantonese) lifestyle, as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Plank roads and viewing platforms have been built by the sea and halfway up the hills south of the Zhuhai International Air Show Center, making it more convenient for photographers to capture the splendid moments of the dynamic demonstrations. 

Big data technology will be applied in intelligent recognition for the entrance guard inspection, ensuring that people and vehicles can pass through quickly. 

In addition, awnings and corridors will be set up in the exhibition area to provide more comfort to exhibitors and visitors.