Video conferencing was used on May 7 to bring to more than 400 the number of well-known aerospace companies that will participate in the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) from Nov 10 to 15.

A cooperation agreement was signed with ECM Expo & Conference Management GmbHon reserving more than 300 sq m (359 sq yd) of display space for the German delegation, and that is expected to increase. In 2018, the fair-trade organizer arranged for 27 German enterprises to fill an exhibition area of 400 sq m (478 sq yd) at the 12th Airshow China at the Zhuhai Airshow Center in Jinwan District.

The German exhibition operator also has long-term partnerships with world-renowned Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defense Expo, Russia's International Aviation & Space Salon (MAKS), and Singapore Airshow.

Online signing ceremony [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]

Also on Thursday, Wanfeng Aviation Industry signed a cooperation deal for 551 sq m (659 sq yd) of indoor area to showcase 10 Diamond-series general-purpose planes.

The Zhejiang-based enterprise has aircraft manufacturing bases in China, Austria, and Canada; design and R&D centers in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Canada; and a manufacturing engineering center under construction in China. It also provides technical support and after-sales services to multiple aircraft manufacturing bases across the world. The company's first appearance at Airshow China was in 2016 as part of the Czech delegation; then, in 2018, it independently displayed nine general-purpose planes.

Currently, the more than 400 enterprises include returning exhibitors from Australia, Germany, Russia, France, the US, Switzerland, Ukraine, Italy, and the UK while those from the United Arab Emirates, Finland, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia will make debuts.

Leading the lineup are Brazil's Embraer SA, France-based ATR and Thales Group, Russia's United Engine Corp and Russian Helicopters, Rolls-Royce from the UK, Germany's Liebherr Group and Lufthansa Technik AG, as well as Bell Helicopter, Honeywell International, and Parker Aerospace from the US. French Airbus SE and aerospace supplier Safran Group will expand their exhibition areas this year.

In addition to the Bayi (August 1st) Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, the aerobatic squadron Warriors of Russian Aerospace Forces is likely to bring the upgraded Su-30 for a stunning air show.

The dynamic display zone for ground military equipment will be upgraded with an undulating road, wading pool, central steering and snake maneuver areas, test frame, and two-way large longitudinal slope on which tanks, armored vehicles, defense assault and off-road vehicles will simulate actual combat and training scenes.

To bolster "Smart" Airshow China, the organizer will upgrade the ticket system and introduce an app for one-stop transport, accommodations, and navigation service.