Over 1,100 international companies set for 16th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition

The 16th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, from Dec 7 to 13, with more than 1,100 companies from 50 countries and regions expected to participate, officials said at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the exhibition. Since its launch in 1996, it has grown into one of the world's five biggest airshows, serving as a platform for international exchange, trade, and advances in aviation and aerospace technology.

International flight teams will be among the highlights. The Russian Knights aerobatic team and the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatic team will join the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the Chinese PLA Air Force for performances. It will be the first time since 2016 that two foreign aerobatic teams have participated in the same edition. Global industry leaders, including Boeing, GE Aerospace, and Rolls-Royce, will also showcase their technologies.

Beyond exhibitions, the event aims to foster business partnerships across the global aerospace industry. Its expanded seven-day schedule and triple-zone layout will be complemented by business matchmaking, company presentations, and project-signing events.

The exhibition also highlights Guangdong's ambitions to develop its aviation, aerospace, and low-altitude economy industries. The province is building supply chains spanning rockets, satellites, aircraft components, and related technologies, while its low-altitude aviation sector includes more than 2,000 aircraft manufacturers and over 15,000 related businesses.

Located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai will coordinate transport, accommodation, catering, and multilingual services for international exhibitors and visitors. The concurrent Zhuhai Forum, scheduled for Dec 6 to 8, will bring together domestic and international participants to discuss commercial spaceflight and other aerospace topics. Cultural and tourism activities will also offer visitors opportunities to explore the region beyond the exhibition grounds.