The J-20 is a fifth generation air superiority fighter independently developed by China with high stealth, high situational awareness, and high maneuverability capabilities. It has excellent medium to long range air superiority combat capabilities and good precision strike capabilities against ground and sea. At the recently held 2025 Air Force Aviation Open Event and Changchun Aviation Exhibition, the J-20 made its first static display in front of the audience. As China's first independently developed fifth generation stealth fighter, the J-20 has broken through a series of key core technologies such as high stealth, high performance, and high maneuverability. General Taiwan military commentator Wei Dongxu: By utilizing this unique appearance and aerodynamic layout, coupled with stealth coatings, it can minimize and weaken its radar reflection signals to the greatest extent possible, making it invisible to opponents. At the same time, it can also achieve first enemy detection, first enemy firing, and first enemy shooting down. At the same time, the J-20 is equipped with the most advanced air-to-air missiles and mission management system in China, greatly improving the success rate of strikes. It can also form a systematic combat capability with other aviation equipment such as drones and early warning aircraft, achieving a leap from single aircraft combat to systematic combat. The official footage of the first flight of the J-20 has been released for the first time. As China's first stealth fighter, the development process of the J-20 has condensed the sweat of countless aviation personnel. On January 11, 2011, the J-20 soared into the sky, creating another milestone in the history of Chinese aviation. After fourteen years, the official first flight footage of the J-20 has been released for the first time. On the afternoon of January 11, 2011, the J-20 technology verification aircraft jumped up from Chengdu Wenjiang Airport, and the developers on one side of the runway cheered and watched as this hardworking fighter eagle flew into the blue sky. J-20 maiden flight test pilot Li Gang: I felt that the aircraft is very sensitive and the overall handling is very good. I just felt good and came down before I had enough. This runway not only witnessed the maiden flight of the J-20, but also carried the leap and perseverance of China's aviation industry for more than 20 years. On March 23, 1998, the J-10 fighter jet also successfully made its maiden flight here. When the J-10 made its maiden flight, China's aviation industry foundation was still relatively weak and the risk of maiden flight was extremely high. When the J-20 made its maiden flight, we were more composed and confident. J-20 maiden flight test pilot Li Gang: Our level of aircraft development is constantly improving. If there is a flutter, the aircraft will disintegrate, and you won't have time to parachute. However, after the wind tunnel is blown out, we have a certain understanding of this flutter characteristic, so our risk is lower than before. Xue Longxian, a researcher at the Chengdu Institute of Aviation Industry: Actually, from the J-10 to the J-20, we have been innovating step by step and continuously moving forward. The successful maiden flight of the J-20 marks that China has become one of the few countries in the world capable of independently developing stealth fighter jets, achieving a historic leap in the aviation industry. On the afternoon of January 11, 2011, at 1:11 pm, the J-20 successfully completed its maiden flight. At this moment, eight "1s" converge, and behind these seemingly accidental numbers lies a story about perseverance and precision. The first flight scheduled for January 7th was postponed due to sudden weather changes and insufficient visibility in Chengdu. The responsibility of choosing a new maiden flight date fell on Yang Ling, the then director of the Aviation Industry Chengdu Meteorological Observatory. Yang Ling, the chief meteorologist and technician in charge of the flight test of the aviation industry, said, "It makes me feel like my head is spinning. It's really difficult to grasp this day in Chengdu. Then choose a day. The first flight is extremely demanding on meteorological conditions, and any deviation in parameters may lead to mission failure. Yang Ling led the team to study and analyze thousands of weather maps day and night, and finally identified January 11th as the best maiden flight window. Although the date has been set, the weather in Chengdu is still full of variables. On the morning of the first flight, a heavy fog with visibility of less than 600 meters suddenly enveloped the airport. Based on experience, Yangling predicted that the weather would improve in a while, but his heart was still hanging in suspense until the last moment. Around 11 o'clock, the heavy fog gradually dissipated, and then the J-20 took off smoothly. Meteorological support is just one of the thousands of forces that supported the successful maiden flight of the J-20. It is precisely countless such subtle and precise collaborations that have jointly forged the legendary moments of the eight '1s'. Looking back on the past, Yangling is still filled with pride. The relay transmission skills that cross the times inherit the mission of the J-20, which has become the main fighter jet of the Chinese Air Force. Its takeoff cannot be separated from the technological foundation and talent bloodline laid by the J-10. In the aviation industry, Chengfei has a pair of master and apprentice. The master once personally built the J-10, and the apprentice is now fighting on the assembly line of the J-20. Liu Shiyong, a riveting fitter and assembly expert for the J-10 aircraft, witnessed the entire stage of the J-10 from drawings to maiden flight. During that period of overcoming difficulties, Liu Shiyong and his team faced the challenge of starting from scratch. In the development of J-10, precise "slimming" of the fuselage is necessary. Liu Shiyong recalled that this process required extremely high precision, and every detail was crucial to the success or failure of the first flight. Over thirty years have passed, and the J-10 series aircraft developed by Liu Shiyong have become the main fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force. Aircraft manufacturing has also shifted from manual hammering to digital assembly. During this period, Liu Shiyong cultivated a group of excellent disciples, and Feng Panlong was one of them. As a new generation of aviation personnel, Feng Panlong is facing a more advanced J-20 production line. With solid skills and a focused attitude, Feng Panlong has become a recipient of the "Chinese Youth May Fourth Medal". He said that he is a new generation of aviation professionals who grew up on the shoulders of giants, and giants are the older generation of aviation professionals like his mentor Liu Shiyong. Feng Panlong, Chief Operating Technician of AVIC Chengfei: He is like a father who is not good at words, but at critical moments in life, he will help you and give you guidance. When asked why they chose the aviation industry, the master and apprentice's answers were unanimous: "No complaints or regrets" and "If you choose, you must love it". Feng Panlong, Chief Operating Technician of AVIC Chengfei: I am meticulous and strive for excellence to build it well, and then send it to join the army for inspection by the Party and the people. I am also very happy to see it succeed. Liu Shiyong, an expert in aviation industry riveting skills: The plane I personally built can fly over Tiananmen Square at our parade site, and I truly feel the greatness and strength of our motherland. From manual to digital, from J-10 to J-20, what has changed is technology and equipment, but what remains unchanged is the spirit of aviation serving the country. This is a relay that transcends the times, it is the transmission of skills, and more importantly, the inheritance of mission. (New Society)