PLA media hints at J-35 stealth fighter jet’s debut at Airshow China

The official social media account of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) News Media Center on Monday released a photo, hinting that China's long-anticipated J-35 stealth fighter jet might debut at the upcoming Airshow China 2024.

China Bugle, the official media account of the PLA's News Media Center, on Monday released the post titled "Super spoilers! Is the J-35 officially announced?" accompanied by a photo showing the vertical tail of an aircraft marked with the number "75." 

"Is this an official image of the new aircraft?! Is it the J-35 that netizens have been eagerly anticipating? Do not rush, we will see you in Zhuhai in 3+5 days," China Bugle said.

The Airshow China 2024 is scheduled to be held from November 12 to 17 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

While the post is short, it contained significant information, as it is the first time the long-anticipated J-35 has appeared on an official media platform.

Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times on Monday that while the post used the question marks, given the authority and reliability of the official media, this post indeed serves as a "spoiler" about the J-35, confirming the existence of this aircraft type. 

Judging from the vertical tail's shape, it is very likely to be a stealth fighter jet, Zhang said after viewing the photo.

"The photo also displayed the number '75' painted on the fighter jet's vertical tail. This year marks the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, and November 11 also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Air Force, indicating that this number represents the PLA Air Force's 75 years of glorious history from November 11, 1949," Zhang said.

The debut of the new warplane highlights the continuous development of the PLA Air Force over the past 75 years, particularly in terms of equipment development, Zhang said.