China’s largest air show takes off with fighter jets, attack drones
Fighter jets and attack drones took centre stage as China’s largest air show officially opened on Tuesday, an opportunity for Beijing to showcase its growing military might to potential customers and rivals alike.China has poured resources into modernising and expanding its aviation capabilities as it faces off against the United States and others around regional flashpoints like Taiwan. Record numbers of Chinese warplanes have been sent around the self-ruled democratic island, which Beijing claims as its territory, over the past few years.The star of Airshow China, which showcases Beijing’s civil and military aerospace sector every two years in the southern city of Zhuhai, is the new J-35A stealth fighter jet. Video from state media showed the warplane rearing up into the air, engines roaring, before flipping upside down and speeding away as spectators on the ground excitedly cheered. Its inclusion in the airshow suggests it is nearly ready to enter operation, which would make China the only country other than the United States to have two stealth fighters in action, experts said. The J-35A is lighter than China’s existing model, the J20, and looks more similar in design to a US F-35. A group of J20s also performed a display flight on Tuesday morning, in a diamond formation across the sky. State news agency Xinhua quoted military expert Wang Mingzhi as saying the combination of the two models greatly enhances the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)’s “ability to conduct offensive operations in high-threat and contested environments”. For the first time, a PLA naval jet will be present at the airshow, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The J-15T’s design suggests it may be intended for use on China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian.Another key piece of hardware making its debut is the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles, according to state media. – Drone zone -The airshow features a dedicated drone zone for the first time, reflecting their increased prominence in warzones, including Ukraine.The SS-UAV — a massive mothership that can release swarms of smaller drones for intelligence gathering, as well as strikes — will be on display in Zhuhai, according to the South China Morning Post.In October the United States unveiled sanctions targeting China-based companies linked to the production of drones that Russia has deployed in Ukraine.Moscow and Beijing have deepened military and defence ties since Russia’s invasion of its neighbour three years ago, and the secretary of its Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, is due to visit Zhuhai. Russia’s Su-57, a stealth jet with a distinctive grey-and-white mosaic pattern, also took to the skies on Tuesday. In another display, soldiers descended on ropes from helicopters.This year the show’s focus is squarely on the military sector, as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the PLAAF, but China’s burgeoning space industry will also be showcasing developments.A model of a homegrown reusable space cargo shuttle will debut at the show, Xinhua reported on Monday. Named Haoloong, the shuttle is designed to be launched on a commercial rocket, and then dock with China’s space station Tiangong. “It can re-enter the atmosphere, fly and land horizontally at a designated airport, allowing for recovery and reuse,” Xinhua said. Beijing has poured huge resources into its space programme over the past decade in an effort to catch up to traditional space powers the United States and Russia.
Mauritius opposition leader claims sweeping vote winTue, 12 Nov 2024 06:19:08 GMT
Mauritius opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam said Tuesday that his alliance had won a crushing election victory over the governing coalition, after the incumbent prime minister conceded he faced a “huge defeat”.Ramgoolam, a two-time former prime minister, told crowds of jubilant supporters in his constituency that his Alliance of Change had made a clean sweep of …
Mauritius opposition leader claims sweeping vote winTue, 12 Nov 2024 06:19:08 GMT Read More »
Le ministre des Outre-mer François-Noël Buffet en déplacement en Martinique
Le ministre des Outre-mer François-Noël Buffet est arrivé lundi en fin de journée à Fort-de-France en Martinique, épicentre depuis plus de deux mois de revendications contre le coût de la vie dans les Outre-mer.M. Buffet a qualifié de “constructives” ses premières discussions avec Serge Letchimy, président du conseil exécutif de la Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique, qui se sont déroulées selon lui dans “un excellent état d’esprit”, a-t-il commenté.Serge Letchimy a pour sa part évoqué “une discussion de très grande fermeté”, estimant que “le ministère est conscient de la gravité de la situation”.”Il a confirmé la mise en Å“uvre d’une loi d’orientation de programmation qui nous permettra de construire quelque chose de durable sur la maîtrise du prix, éviter les oligopoles, les monopoles, les surprofits”, a indiqué le chef de l’exécutif martiniquais.Rodrigue Petitot, figure du mouvement contre la vie chère en Martinique et président du Rassemblement pour la Protection des Peuples et des Ressources Afro-Caribéens, s’est introduit lundi dans la résidence préfectorale du quartier huppé de Didier, a confirmé une source préfectorale à l’AFP.La scène qui a été filmée sur les réseaux sociaux montre un face à face tendu entre le président du RPPRAC et le préfet de Martinique Jean-Christophe Bouvier.Escorté par la police, Rodrigue Petitot a quitté le domicile du préfet sans pouvoir rencontrer François-Noël Buffet qui recevait des élus de Martinique.Un groupe de 70 sympathisants a par la suite occupé la rue devant chez le préfet au moins jusqu’à 22H30 locales (2H30 GM), a pu constater un journaliste de l’AFP.De retour en Martinique dimanche, Rodrigue Petitot avait fait savoir sa ferme intention de rencontrer François-Noël Buffet.”Ayant appris votre présence prochaine sur nos territoires à partir du 11 novembre 2024, nous avons décidé d’écourter notre séjour à Paris pour être présents et disponibles dès votre arrivée”, a-t-il écrit dans un communiqué de presse avant d’insister : “vous avez le devoir de nous recevoir”.M. Petitot était à Paris pour la manifestation contre la vie chère à Paris le 3 novembre qui a rassemblé plusieurs milliers de personnes.Aucune rencontre avec les dirigeants de l’association n’est pour le moment prévue à l’agenda du ministre.