China is drawing attention to its indigenous fighter-bomber, the Xian JH-7, also known as the Jianhong-7, ahead of one of its biggest national holidays.
On Friday, state-owned news service People’s Daily Online ran photographs of Chinese pilots in training ahead of the Lunar New Year, UPI reported.
The images of the Jianhong-7 were sourced through the Chinese military network, according to the report.
The fighter-bombers are being put on display as China is preparing for a possible worsening of ties with the United States, South China Morning Post reported on Friday.
An official with China’s National Defense Mobilization Department in the Central Military Commission said the likelihood of war between the United States and China has become “more real.”
“’A war within the president’s term’ or ‘war breaking out tonight’ are not just slogans; they are becoming a practical reality,” the statement of the People’s Liberation Army website read.
Beijing has been increasingly critical of US policy, since US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemned Beijing’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea during his Senate confirmation hearing.
China continues to defend its claims in South China Sea.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints