File photo shows the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force conducting a joint combat patrol mission in the South China Sea. The Chinese Air Force announced a roadmap for building a stronger modern air force in three steps. The building of a stronger modern air force is in line with the overall goal of building national defense and the armed forces, Lieutenant General Xu Anxiang, deputy commander of Chinese Air Force, said at a press conference on celebrating the 69th anniversary of the establishment of Chinese Air Force held in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 11, 2018. (Xinhua)