China used this week’s Singapore Airshow to project growing military and aviation confidence, drawing intense attention from regional delegations as Beijing sharpens its influence play across Southeast Asia.

The display came as Washington, under President Donald Trump, sent mixed signals to allies. While the U.S. military demonstrated its reach through the extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and a naval build-up around Iran, Trump’s public criticism of partners and the imposition of tariffs have unsettled parts of Asia creating diplomatic and commercial space China is keen to occupy.

PLA Air Force Sends Strategic Signals

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force made headlines with the debut of its aerobatic team flying Chengdu J-10C fighter jets. The aircraft’s export version, the J-10CE, gained global attention in 2025 after Pakistan used it to down an Indian Air Force Rafale during a brief escalation.

Chinese state media said the jets flew directly to Singapore using mid-air refuelling — a capability long viewed as a PLA weakness.

“That’s a message about power projection,” said Tim Robinson, editor-in-chief of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Aerospace magazine. “It’s one of the key enablers of a modern air force.”

Stealth Fighters and Export Messaging

Inside the exhibition halls, Chinese state firms occupied premium space, with displays dominated by a 1:2 scale model of AVIC’s J-35A stealth multirole fighter. Little technical detail was offered, but the signal to potential buyers was unmistakable.

“If you can’t afford or aren’t allowed to buy an F-35, this is being positioned as an alternative,” Robinson said.

Observers noted that the lack of specifications mattered less than the strategic messaging to Asian defence buyers.

Southeast Asia Watches Closely

Defence officials from across Southeast Asia crowded Chinese military booths, reflecting Beijing’s expanding pull as doubts grow over long-term U.S. security commitments.

“We’re seeing the same delegations, but the conversation has changed,” said a senior executive at a Western arms manufacturer.

While analysts caution against expecting a sudden shift in arms procurement, many agree the backdrop reflects new power politics and supply-chain diversification.

“China may see an opportunity if confidence in U.S. suppliers weakens,” said defence specialist Bradley Perrett. “But many customers will still look first to Europe, South Korea or Japan.”

Commercial Aviation Push Continues

China also used the airshow to press its commercial aviation ambitions. State-owned COMAC again flew its C919 narrowbody jet and showcased a model of the C929 wide-body, now progressing as a purely Chinese programme after earlier talks with Russia.

Chinese delegates said Southeast Asia was a priority market, with Indonesian representatives among those showing interest. However, Western analysts note that certification hurdles and the lack of global support networks mean Airbus and Boeing’s dominance will be hard to dislodge.

Still, delegates pointed to a broader Chinese commercial strategy, including alternative spare parts tapping airline concerns over global supply shortages.

Strategic Optics Over Immediate Sales

While Chinese fighter jets and airliners remain far from mass international adoption, their growing visibility and assertiveness at Asia’s largest airshow underscored Beijing’s long-term intent: shaping perceptions, courting partners and positioning itself as a credible alternative in a more fragmented global order.

With inputs from Reuters