One of the highlights of the Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, will be a showcase of advanced military hardware, including the first showing of a new short-range ultra-low-altitude portable air defence missile.

The missile, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, is primarily for conducting air defense field operations and can be used against low-flying military helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles.

The Chinese aerospace company will also display a range of short-range air defence missiles and surface-to-air missiles, plus various small civilian communications satellites.

Among other first showings at the exhibition of some 100 weapons and aerospace products will be a short-range surface-to-surface missile with a range of 150 kilometers.

The air show will feature stunt teams from China, Britain, France and Russia, and will run from November 1 through 7.

According to a press release from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, there will be exhibitions, trade negotiations, academic exchanges and stunt flights.

It will use a combined floor space of 16,700 sq.m in the indoor exhibition -- about 15 percent more than the last event.

Overseas aviation giants, such as Boeing and Airbus, are scheduled to attend and organizers say firms from the United States, France, Germany, Russia and Italy will be increasing their presence.

An aerospace summit forum will also be held on October 31 and November 1 in cooperation with the country's civil aviation authorities and the French Embassy in China.

The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition is a biennial event. The first was also held in Zhuhai, one of China's five special economic zones, in 1996.

(CRI, China Daily November 1, 2004)