Airshow China, the country’s biggest meeting of aircraft makers and buyers, has opened in the southeastern coastal city of Zhuhai.

Two of China’s J-20 warplanes flew over an applauding crowd at the air show on Tuesday. The fighters appeared unannounced after a colourful aerobatics show by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

This year’s exhibition is the largest ever. It features new Chinese-made military assault vehicles, anti-aircraft missile systems, unmanned drones and fighter jets. Foreign guests from 42 countries, including Britain, Pakistan and Russia are in attendance. Astronauts in China’s Tiangong-2 space lab also sent greetings from space.

“Hello, everyone. This is Jing Haipeng, commander of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. I wish the Airshow China in Zhuhai a big success from the Tiangong-2 space laboratory,” astronaut Jing Haipeng said.

“Hi. This is Chen Dong, crew member of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. I will cheer for you from space. Happy 20th birthday to Airshow China,” said astronaut Chen Dong.