Mixed Feelings on China’s Largest Airshow: Arabs exclaimed, “May God bless us, we’ll take them all!
In today’s world, who else can gather military officers from warring sides into a room filled with weapons—and still maintain peace?
China can, and it did-as demonstrated by its Zhuhai Airshow that concluded last week. Among the over 600,000 attendees are former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Ukrainian and American military officers, and, of course, the ever-generous leaders from the Middle East. By the end of the event, more than 1,100 Chinese and foreign companies collectively secured weapons orders worth $38.7 billion.
On site, Ukrainian soldiers meticulously examined drones, unmanned boats, radars, and electronic warfare equipment, while Russian pilots eagerly carried away models of China’s J-35A fighter jet as if they were treasures.
On November 8, the Air Force’s J-35A conducted its first adaptive flight training.
AVIC displayed several drone models.
While most Western media outlets downplayed the impact of this exhibition-which could reshape global warfare landscape-wecollected reports and comments around the world to offer you a glimpse of the psychological whirlwind the exhibition evokes, to say the least
(Translations of Arabic, Korean, Japanese, and Thai comments were sourced from Google.)
India: Instigation
Indian media outlet Firstpost headlined their article: “Why China’s New Weapons at Zhuhai Airshow 2024 Is Worrying for Its Neighbours.”
India was clearly deeply shaken, but it still “kindly” expressed concern over the security of neighboring countries, regional safety, and the freedom and openness of the Indo-Pacific.
The article said: “With the newly unveiled HQ-19 missile, J-35A fighter, and J-15T jet, China poses a serious challenge to India’s already strained defense.”
It argued that: “These powerful technologies represent China’s expanding military capabilities, which could impact the security and stability of the region.”
In the eyes of Indian media, confrontation between China and its neighboring countries is inevitable: “This development makes it harder for nearby countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, to plan their defenses as China’s aerial reach grows stronger.”
It even portrayed China as a disruptor of peace in the Indian Ocean: “China’s progress in advanced air and missile technology is putting the resilience of security alliances, such as the Quad (the US, India, Japan, and Australia), under scrutiny as they work to uphold a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific.’”
Japan: Calm
Japan’s Asahi TV Channel (ANN News Channel) showed extraordinary enthusiasm for the Zhuhai Airshow. On the opening day of the airshow, they uploaded an 11-hour-long YouTube video, offering detailed observations of the event.
This brings to mind Japan’s earnest pursuit of Western knowledge and culture during the Meiji Restoration.
The sincerity of Japanese netizens in the comment section of this video even moved some Chinese viewers.
Some Japanese netizens lamented the decline of their country’s military power:
@上田うまたろー
やばいな、軍事力が抜けている
It’s terrible, military power is lacking.
Others expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. military:
@gentoffire
いつの日か日本人がアメリカ人の支配から解放されることを願っています。特に沖縄の人々が。
I hope that someday the Japanese will be freed from American domination, especially the people of Okinawa.
Of course, there were also comments ridiculing the weapons in the video as fakes:
@港东
エプソンで印刷しました！
Printed with Epson!
But many more expressed genuine admiration:
@younaoreiyosi
性能は不明だけどこれだけ自国で設計＆生産できるのは脅威、宇宙ステーションも自国のみで作ろうとしているし、日本じゃ国民が反対しまくってこのままじゃ国力が低下していかないか心配
Performance is unknown, but being able to design and produce this much in one’s own country is a threat. The space station is also being built entirely by themselves. In Japan, the public opposes such initiatives so much that I’m worried about the decline of our national strength if this continues.
In the comment section, Chinese netizens left their messages:
@lee-afk
Sino-Japanese friendship, Asia’s rise!
@USTCdog
The Japanese are rational and have a broad vision, which is truly impressive. The U.S. ultimately didn’t fully stifle the intellectual independence of the Japanese people. As a rational netizen, I do respect the Japanese. However, due to historical reasons, I can also see that Japan will remain a potential threat to China for a long time. Compared to those arrogant and ignorant people, Japan is a worthy opponent.
Thailand: Bitter
Unlike the rational restraint of Japanese netizens, Thai netizens were highly “engaged” in criticizing China’s J-35A fighter jet for “copying” on related videos from Thai media outlet PPAV’s YouTube channel.
@Mr.vanveerasaq
Copy ทุกอย่างแล้วบอกว่าแรงบันดาลใจ
Copy everything and say it’s inspiration.
@Rolex-dz4ed
ก้อปแม้กระทั่งตัวเลข… 35 เค้า
Copy even the numbers… 35 of theirs.
Are you saying that the J-35A stealth fighter jet has copied the US F-35?
But some Thais were clear-eyed about China’s achievements and the gap between the development of China and Thailand:
@suratheppadklang5376
ไม่ว่าเรื่องอะไรต้องมีพวกคอยดูถูกจีนคือไม่มีปัญญาทำได้แต่คอยดูถูกเขาบางทีคนพวกนี้ยังใช้โทรศัพท์จีนอยุ่ก็มี
No matter the issue, there are always people belittling China. They lack the capability to do it themselves but keep looking down on others. Sometimes these people even use Chinese-made phones.
@seeapk2529
ไอ้พวกที่ด่าเขา นี่มันจะรู้มั้ยว่าคนไทยด่าจีนมา3-40 ปีแล้ว ทั้งเรืองก๊อป ถ่มน้ำลาย พูดเสียงดัง ห้องส้วมของจีน จนมาถึงวันนี้เขาทิ้งเราห่างไป100 ปีแล้วคนไทยก็ยังนั่งด่าอยู่ที่เดิมไม่เคยไปไหน
Those who curse them, do they realize that Thai people have been mocking China for 30-40 years, calling them copycats, criticizing their spitting, loud voices, and toilets? But today, they’ve left us 100 years behind. Meanwhile, Thais are still stuck in the same spot, mocking without progressing.
South Korea: Bitterness
Under a report by South Korean media outlet SBS, the most liked comments on YouTube revealed a sense of bitterness.
@bumsukim7320
우리나라가 의학과 법학과 등 때문에 선진국된 나라가 아니라 기술직 공대생 때문에 선진국이 되었는데 이제 찬밥이 되었으니 앞으로 미래는 없음
Our country did not become an advanced nation because of medicine and law departments, but because of engineering students. Now that engineering has been neglected, there is no future ahead.
@switch9444
대한민국은 로로지 검찰.판사.의사만 제대로 대접받음 공대생은 천한 노비나 다름없음 특목고 애들은 전부 의대진학
In Korea, only prosecutors, judges, and doctors are treated properly. Engineering students are regarded as no better than lowly slaves. All students from specialized high schools end up pursuing medical school.
@andykwon698
미국이 하는건 다 맞고, 중국이 하는건 다 틀리다고 판단하는 정부, 매체, 개인들 반성해야…
The government, media, and individuals who assume that everything the United States does is right and everything China does is wrong should reflect on themselves…
@217gun2
음 중국 무섭고 요즘은 수준 높아지는게 보임
Hmm, China is scary, and I can see their level rising these days.
@dia4816
이제 우리나라가 이쑤시개 만들고 양말,가발 만들 때가 된거임 이 나라 끝났음
Now it’s time for our country to start making toothpicks, socks, and wigs. This country is finished.
Russia: Taking Models Too
Confronted with China’s strength, the Russians didn’t seem too conflicted: Russian (Sukhoi) chief test pilot Sergey Bogdan was photographed purchasing models of the J-20 and J-35 after performing with his Su-57 at the Zhuhai Airshow.
Arabia: Buying, Buying, Buying
Unlike the aforementioned netizens, the comments under the Zhuhai Airshow videos shared by Arab bloggers exude a sense of confidence stemming from their “wealthy” identity. Perhaps because of this, their compliments seem more genuine.
@mohammedalsultan3906
أنا من اليمن
اعتقد الصين تسير في التصنيع العسكري والالكتروني بوتره متسارعة و قد تفوق أمريكا في بعض المجالات
وهذا هو المسار الطبيعي الناتج عن الاحتكار والهيمنة الاتحادية
I am from Yemen.
I think China is moving toward military and electronic industrialization at an accelerated pace and may surpass America in some areas.
This is the natural path resulting from monopoly and federal domination.
@هيثمحسيناطيخ
الصين قوه لايواجد الا ربي بعده
China is a power that no one exists except my Lord after.
@IshakIshak-kj4mi
إن شاء الله الجزائر تشتري هذه أسلحة صينية
God willing, Algeria will buy these Chinese weapons.
@djoumakhrayan2798
الصنيون عفاريت الهندسة العكسية نحن نستورد لنستهلك وهم يفككون يحللون ويتعلمون ثم يصنعون ثم يبدعون
The Chinese are goblins of reverse engineering. We import to consume, and they dismantle, analyze, learn, then manufacture, then create.
@smail829
العملاق استيقظ ولن يعود لنوم ثانية
The giant woke up and will never go back to sleep again.
@HoucinKrache
الصين تتقدم بي وبوتره والتكنولوجيا متقدمه ومتسارعة الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية بي اشوط في مجال الصناعات عسكري هيا مستقبل العالم
China is moving forward with pace, and technology is advanced and accelerating. The United States of America is making strides in the field of military industries. It is the future of the world.
@وايت77-ب9ض
هل رأيتم الصين تتعدى على حرمة دولة ما …دولة محترمة نفسها وشعبها وكل دول العالم اشد الاحترام… اتمنى ان تصبح الصين زعيمة العالم لدحر بعض قطاع الطرق الصعاليك مثل الولايات المتحدة وبني صهيون ووووو
Have you seen China infringe on the sanctity of a country? A country that respects itself, its people, and all the countries of the world with the utmost respect. I hope that China will become the world leader to defeat some thug bandits like the United States and the children of Zion, wow.
China: Show You So We Don’t Fight
Beyond the speculations about war from international netizens, Chinese users on Quora’s equivalent, “Zhihu,” shared their views on China’s Zhuhai Airshow. Their consensus is clear: China’s open showcase of its arsenal is aimed at avoiding war.
@小风同学 (2,334 Likes)
Why does China do this?
In my view, it’s precisely because China doesn’t want a major war, so it directly displayed its arsenal. Frequent muscle flexing is to prevent hostile forces from misjudging. It’s a straightforward declaration to the world: I don’t want to fight, and you better not mess with me.
@塔尔萨拉 (1,279 Likes)
I checked some international websites. Those who know the field are already imagining how the U.S. military might scramble under the onslaught of robotic wolves and drones, even making up a few short stories.
Those who don’t understand keep repeating the same phrases: developing country, copying, backward engines, etc.
Surprisingly, many Taiwanese netizens are speaking positively this time. Have our Taiwanese compatriots awakened?
@蜗牛 ( 1,386 Likes)
Let me share my personal thoughts:
1. China’s leadership truly values caution in war and cherishes peace. Looking at the weapons at the airshow, we could have ground our archenemy nations to dust three times over by now.
2. This airshow is primarily about deterrence and secondarily about selling products.
3. China has genuinely maintained neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. If we supported either side, these unmanned devices could have crushed the other side completely.
4. Beyond loving peace, China’s caution in war also aims to avoid forming military-industrial complexes similar to those in the U.S., where military and corporate interests intertwine.
Once the military complex takes power, it would squeeze out the civilian government, racing toward reckless militarism. Starting a war is easy; stopping one is hard.
The comments we collected reflect how citizens from different geopolitical contexts perceive China’s military strength. Such exhibitions that provide a glimpse into the future global order are becoming increasingly rare.
Once upon a time, the UK’s Farnborough, France’s Paris, Russia’s Moscow, Singapore’s, and China’s Zhuhai Airshows were collectively known as the world’s five major airshows.
Among them, the first three were the most dazzling. The Farnborough Airshow used to be a showcase for U.S.-NATO air force equipment. The Moscow Airshow was the counterpart for the Soviet-Warsaw Pact system. Meanwhile, the Paris Airshow, benefiting from France’s independence from NATO, top-notch military industry, and air force equipment, held an irreplaceable position.
For a long time, the Zhuhai Airshow was relatively weak, often serving as a platform for civilian aviation enthusiasts.
Now, however, due to wars and sanctions, the scenes of countries showcasing their weaponry can only be seen at China’s Zhuhai Airshow. The mockery or admiration from other countries onlyonly unveils one clear trend: a new world order is taking shape.
