Wednesday, January 12, 2011

China stealth jet upstages US defence chief's visit

China stealth jet upstages US defence chief's visit: "US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday toured China's nuclear command centre to end what he called a 'very successful' visit -- one upstaged by a bold display of Beijing's advanced weaponry...

Gates' four-day trip to China was designed to promote a more cooperative relationship with the country's top brass before President Hu Jintao visits Washington next week.

But instead the test flight of a new Chinese stealth fighter stole the show.

As Gates met Hu and other top officials on Tuesday, Chinese state media published photos that were said to show the debut flight of the J-20, the country's first radar-evading combat aircraft.

The timing of the flight appeared to be a snub to Washington...
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