Chinese Air Force aerobatics team departs for performance in Russia

A J-10 fighter jet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team is seen at an airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. (Xinhua/Yu Yongde)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team Thursday left for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum.

As the only foreign aerobatic team invited, the August 1st team, which includes seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets and two Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, will give two performances during the forum.

The Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum will be held from Aug. 21 to 26. It consists of a series of programs including business meetings and contract signings in addition to exhibits of equipment and weapons.

The August 1st team, which left from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Thursday morning, will arrive at Kubinka Airport, near Moscow, on Friday.

Established in 1962, the team has staged more than 600 aerobatic performances for over 700 delegations from 168 countries and regions.

This will be the second time that it will perform in Moscow.

Three J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatics team leave from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2018. The August 1st team left Thursday for Russia to perform at the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum. (Xinhua/Yu Yongde)