BEIJING, October 13. /TASS/. China has invited the Russian Knights aerobatic team to the 16th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, known as Airshow China, in Zhuhai in the southern province of Guangdong this December, the city’s mayor Wu Zetong said.

"The Russian Knights aerobatic team will perform at the upcoming airshow again. The team is well known to audiences, having participated in Airshow China seven times since 1998. Its virtuoso performances have left a deep impression on the public and won widespread affection," he said at a news conference in response to a TASS question.

Wu stressed that expanding international participation is "the main direction for Airshow China’s development." He said the flying displays will be "even more spectacular," with pilots from the United Arab Emirates joining the Russian Knights. "For the first time since 2016, two foreign military aerobatic teams will participate in Airshow China together," he added.

The Bayi Aerobatic Team of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force will also "perform an aerial ballet" alongside them, the mayor said.

China’s largest aviation and aerospace exhibition takes place in the coastal city of Zhuhai, attracting hundreds of companies from several countries. Russian defense companies regularly participate. The exhibition focuses on military and civilian aircraft, space, navigation and radar equipment, aircraft weapons, rocket engines, fire control systems and air defenses. Its 16th edition will run from December 7 to 13.