Photo: Reuters

The Chinese Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team was invited for the first time to perform at the biennial Dubai Airshow that started on Sunday, bringing seven of its J-10 fighter jets to showcase their acrobatic skills. 
The team of pilots had a 22-minute test run last week for its debut at the Middle East airshow that has an international turnout of 160 commercial and military aircraft, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 
China's Aviation Industry Corp (AVIC) is also taking some aircraft along, including unmanned aerial vehicles, its executive vice-president, Zhang Xinguo, announced, while explaining that AVIC is now offering more consumer-friendly services to its clients. 
The show has around 1,200 exhibitors, 100 of them taking part for the first time, with a space forum arranged in partnership with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, and a summit for drones, a cargo area, and a conference under the title "Airport Solutions Dubai." 
The organizers said last month that this 15th show will highlight travel's future look, including space travel and new technology. 
"We are looking forward to an exciting and successful Dubai Airshow 2017," said Michele van Akelijen, the managing director of the organizers, Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East, adding, "The Dubai Airshow truly represents the centre of the aerospace industry and we are pleased to welcome the industry's key players from around the globe." 
The airshow is scheduled for November 12-16, and is expecting at least 70,000 visitors.