Long-range force

The H-6K, the latest variant of the H-6 bomber and possibly the only member of the five-decade-old family that can be defined as a genuine strategic bomber, also took part in the display.

The deployment of the H-6K means the PLA Air Force has possessed a long-range strike capability and can take out any target along the second island chain, which runs from the Bonin Islands in the north and moves southward through the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the Caroline Islands, Wang said.

"Despite the aircraft having an old aerodynamic design and lacking stealth capacity, its improvements in avionics and its engine enable it to carry cruise missiles to launch beyond-visual-range strikes on ground targets or ships," he said.

Improvements to the H-6K have made it a brand new bomber altogether because 90 percent of its equipment has been upgraded, according to Bao Lianjing, commander of the bomber formation in Thursday's parade.