China Central Television reported (March 17) that PLAAF J-10 fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)'s Bayi Aerobatic Team had arrived in Pakistan to a warm welcome as local children greeted them with bouquets. A parade is scheduled on March 23 to mark Pakistan Day. Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of International Relations, told Global Times on March 17, that China sending fighter jets to celebrate Pakistan Day is symbolic of the friendship between China and Pakistan, noting that Pakistan is an all-weather friend of China. In addition to the J-10's flight performance, Chinese analysts expect more Chinese elements at Pakistan Day parade as the country operates a variety of Chinese weapons. China Military Online reported that the Pakistan Air Force's main fighter jet, the JF-17, is a product of Chinese-Pakistani joint development. The Pakistan Air Force also operates the ZDK-03 early warning aircraft, which is developed by China and is reportedly capable of aerial detection and sharing real time battlefield information. It said the MBT-2000 main battle tank developed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) is designated the Al-Khalid in the Pakistan Army and that Pakistan also operates the likes of China's HJ-8 anti-tank missile and FM-90 air defense missile. Hu Zhiyong noted that China has contributed to Pakistan's military development, as China has been helping the country with its national defense industry for decades. Analysts were quoted as saying China is likely to have more joint development projects and arms sales to Pakistan in the future. China Aviation News reported on March 8that a third and more advanced batch of the JF-17 fighter jet, the JF-17 Block 3, is currently under development and production.

(Comment: This is not the first time the Bayi Aerobatic Team performed in Pakistan. On November 19 2017, the team staged a "wonderful" aerobatic flight with J-10 fighter jets in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, according to China Military Online.)