SCMP Economy14 minutes agoDefense1 min readChina

C-17 + Il-76 + Y-20 = an aviation moment in the skies over China

US C-17, Russian-made Il-76, and Chinese Y-20 operating within China simultaneously

Quick Look

Three major strategic heavy-lifting aircraft—the US C-17, Russian-made Il-76, and Chinese Y-20—have been spotted operating in China.
The US aircraft arrived in Shenzhen ahead of President Donald Trump's expected visit for the Apec forum.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Apec forum is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen next week. The Y-20 Kunpeng has been in service with the PLA for ten years.

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China has been the backdrop for a rare aviation moment in the past few days, with the world’s three core strategic heavy-lifting aircraft operating within the country.

Several large US military transport aircraft were spotted landing in Shenzhen over the weekend, widely seen as preparation for US President Donald Trump’s expected trip to the southern Chinese city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum next week.

And on Monday, a Russian-made, Chinese-owned Il-76 transport plane made a rare public appearance at a firefighting drill in the southwestern city of Chongqing. The third aircraft is China’s own Y-20 Kunpeng, which has been in military service for a decade.

According to footage and images posted on Chinese social media by plane spotters in Shenzhen, a US Air Force C-17 heavy lifter flew low across the city before reportedly touching down at Shenzhen Baoan International Airport on Sunday.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Donald Trump to visit Shenzhen for Apec forum.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

Will President Trump attend the Apec forum as expected?
What was the specific purpose of the Il-76 in the firefighting drill?

C-17 + Il-76 + Y-20 = an aviation moment in the skies over China

US C-17, Russian-made Il-76, and Chinese Y-20 operating within China simultaneously

Quick Look

Three major strategic heavy-lifting aircraft—the US C-17, Russian-made Il-76, and Chinese Y-20—have been spotted operating in China.
The US aircraft arrived in Shenzhen ahead of President Donald Trump's expected visit for the Apec forum.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Apec forum is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen next week. The Y-20 Kunpeng has been in service with the PLA for ten years.

Font size

China has been the backdrop for a rare aviation moment in the past few days, with the world’s three core strategic heavy-lifting aircraft operating within the country.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Donald Trump to visit Shenzhen for Apec forum.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

Will President Trump attend the Apec forum as expected?
What was the specific purpose of the Il-76 in the firefighting drill?

C-17 + Il-76 + Y-20 = an aviation moment in the skies over China

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

C-17 + Il-76 + Y-20 = an aviation moment in the skies over China

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

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