Chinese arms makers show wares at Abu Dhabi exhibition

Advanced weapons made by Chinese arms makers are on display at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference 2023, or IDEX 2023, which opened on Monday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which oversees the arms industry in China, said in a news release on Monday that nearly 500 types of weapon and military system made by Chinese defense contractors, including main battle tanks, air defense missile systems, and stealth combat aircraft, are being shown to visitors of IDEX 2023.

Most exhibits are in the form of scaled models, due to the large size of the originals.

The China Defense pavilion is one of the largest national areas at the event and consists of nine State-owned arms exporters.

Dozens of weapon types, including the LY-80B anti-aircraft missile system, made their overseas debut at the event, which is held biennially at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.

Chinese companies also brought a number of unmanned systems to the exhibition.

The administration said it wanted to use the occasion to foster international communication and cooperation, and to show China's solutions for safeguarding regional peace and stability.

More than 1,300 companies from at least 70 countries and regions are taking part in this year's event.