All eyes on the sky as China's aviation sector climbs high

Nov. 13, 2012, 8:19 AM EST

By PhotoBlog

Officers of China's People Liberation Army watch planes performing during the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai on November 13, 2012.Philippe Lopez / AFP - Getty Images

A visitor watches a flight demonstration in front of Long March CZ-3B (right) and CZ-2E rockets on the first day of the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, November 13, 2012.Bobby Yip / Reuters

Flight attendants from China Southern Airlines stand inside a booth on the first day of the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.Bobby Yip / Reuters

China's main air show opened on Tuesday, coinciding with the once-in-a-decade Communist Party meeting to select the country's new leaders.

Reuters reports that this week's air show is being attended by a record 650 exhibitors including dozens of foreign companies drawn to China by the growth of its aviation sector, projected to displace the United States as the world's largest aviation market soon.

The exhibition featured prototypes of a new Chinese business aircraft and a model of a new stealth fighter that China apparently hopes to build for export. Read the full story.

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People Liberation Army parachutists perform during the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai on November 13, 2012.Philippe Lopez / AFP - Getty Images

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