ISLAMABAD: The J-10 fighter jets of the People’s Liberation Army AirForce’s Ba Yi Aerobatic Team have arrived in Pakistan in preparation for aflight performance here on March 23 in celebration of Pakistan’s NationalDay.

The Chinese pilots, invited by the Pakistani side, received a warm welcomeupon arrival as local children greeted them with bouquets, China CentralTelevision reported.

Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of SocialSciences’ Institute of International Relations, told the Chinese mediathat China sending fighter jets to celebrate Pakistan Day is symbolic ofthe friendship between China and Pakistan, noting that Pakistan is anall-weather friend of China.

This is not the first time that the team has performed in Pakistan.

On November 19 2017, the team staged a “wonderful” aerobatic flight withJ-10 fighter jets in Quetta, the capital cityof Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, according to China Military Online.

In addition to the J-10’s flight performance, Chinese analysts expect moreChinese elements at Pakistan Day parade as the country operates a varietyof Chinese weapons.

The Pakistan Air Force’s main fighter jet, the JF-17, is a product ofChinese-Pakistani joint development, China Military Online reported.

The Pakistan Air Force also operates the ZDK-03 early warning aircraft,which is developed by China and is reportedly capable of aerial detectionand sharing real time battlefield information.

The MBT-2000 main battle tank developed by China North IndustriesCorporation (Norinco) is designated the Al-Khalid in the Pakistan Army, thereport said.

Pakistan also operates China’s HJ-8 anti-tank missile and FM-90 air defensemissile, according to China Military Online.