China's first group of female fighter pilots will give an aerobatic display at an air show, highlighting the rising role of these elite women in China's air force, an aviation expert said.

"Female pilots have learned to fly cutting-edge fighter jets in the Chinese air force, but they can also fly bombers and early warning and control aircraft, after receiving training," said Wang Ya'nan, deputy editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. "It means the air force has diversified its pilot pool and can recruit more female pilots for combat aircraft, in case of a shortage of male pilots."

The five female pilots will fly the J-10, one of the country's most advanced military aircraft, at the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, Colonel Shen Jinke, spokesman for the People's Liberation Army air force, said at a news conference on Tuesday.