China to unveil military drones and moon rocket at air show

Members of the August 1 Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force perform during the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (AP)

A military drone said to be able to cruise for 20 hours at 50,000ft is among Chinese warplanes, missiles and other weapons technology being shown in public for the first time at the country’s biggest air show.

The Chinese space programme also plans to unveil a rocket for crewed space flight capable of carrying a 25-tonne payload to lunar orbit at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, in the southern Guangdong province, an official newspaper said.