Aviators of the People's Liberation Army Air Force said on Thursday that their latest aircraft - the J-20 stealth fighter jet and Y-20 strategic transport plane - are world-class and will tremendously strengthen the air force's operational capability.

Senior Colonel Zhang Weilin, commander of an unidentified air base that deploys J-20s, said at a news conference in Changchun, capital of Jilin province, that his unit has arranged many realistic air-combat exercises in which J-20s fought with each other or confronted other types of fighter jets to test its capabilities and tactics.

"The outcomes of these exercises have proved that the J-20 is outstanding in terms of situational awareness, electronic warfare and collaboration ability," he said. "It is fair to say that the service of the J-20 is accelerating the air force's transformation toward a modernized, strategic force and also helping it gain superiority in the global race for an aerospace force."