By Liu Jimei and Gao Sifeng

URUMQI, Aug. 28 -- One Y-20 transport aircraft and seven J-10 aerobatic aircraft of the Bayi Aerobatic Team under the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) departed on Monday from an airport in northwest China for the First Egypt International Air Show at the invitation of the Egyptian Air Force.

The air show is scheduled from September 3 to 5. Xie Peng, a spokesperson for PLAAF, said that this will be the Bayi Aerobatic Team's first performance in an African country and also the farthest flight overseas to date. During the air show, the Y-20 aircraft is set to make its debut performance and static display abroad at El Alamein International Airport, according to Xie.

Military expert Wang Mingzhi noted that the flight to Egypt will span nearly 10,000 kilometers and cross multiple time zones amid rapidly changing temperatures, posing a challenge to the logistics and the pilots' flight skills and physical endurance. It will demonstrate the long-range mobility and delivery capabilities as well as the outcome of realistic combat training of the Chinese air force.

It is reported that the formation is scheduled to fly over the pyramids in Egypt. Li Bin, head of the Bayi Aerobatic Team, said the pyramids are a symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization and the performance is sure to be a historical witness to the friendship between China and Egypt.