Chinese fighter jets arrive in Egypt for joint military drill

A contingent of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) arrived in Egypt on Friday morning (Beijing Time) to participate in joint military exercises scheduled for mid-August through early September.

The drills, codenamed “Eagles of Civilization-2026,” mark the second joint training between the two air forces.

The exercises will focus on air combat tactics, air superiority operations, combat search and rescue, as well as force employment drills.

After taking off from an airport in China on Thursday, the flight formation covered more than 6,000 kilometers, traversed four countries across two continents, and logged nearly nine hours of flying time.

During the flight, the Y-20A military transport aircraft conducted aerial refueling for the fighter jets.

“During the trip, the Y-20A not only carried out aerial refueling missions but also functioned as an airborne command center. In the early stage of the mission, we conducted thorough research and made detailed preparations regarding route planning, meteorological conditions, and contingency response. In recent years, we have carried out multiple overseas missions, accumulating valuable experience and sharpening our operational capabilities. We are fully confident in our ability to successfully accomplish the follow-up tasks,” said Li Mingyang, a member of the Chinese contingent.

Upon arrival in Egypt, Chinese officers and soldiers quickly organized the unloading of materials and the setup of equipment, engaged in exchange and coordination activities, and immediately commenced flight preparations for the upcoming drill day.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), met with King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein in Beijing on Friday.

Zhao said China stands ready to work with Jordan, guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to carry forward traditional friendship, enhance practical cooperation, and promote the sustained, sound and stable growth of bilateral relations.

China’s NPC is willing to deepen friendly exchanges with the National Assembly of Jordan, make good use of platforms such as the seminar for parliamentarians from developing countries, enhance mutual learning in areas including democracy, the rule of law and people’s wellbeing, and contribute to the advancement of the China-Jordan strategic partnership.

Highly commending China’s important leadership in global governance, King Abdullah II said Jordan is ready to work with China to deepen political mutual trust, enhance cooperation in economy, trade, investment and other areas, promote exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and work for common prosperity and development.

King Abdullah II laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes on Tian’anmen Square Friday morning.