The 16th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, known as Airshow China, takes place at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center from 7 to 13 December 2026. The biennial show, organised by the Zhuhai Airshow Group, marks its 30th anniversary in 2026 and is the only international aerospace exhibition approved by the Chinese central government.
The 2026 dates represent a change. Airshow China is customarily held in November, and many listings still show 10 to 15 November 2026. The organiser announced in July 2026 that the show would move to December to avoid a clash with the APEC meetings that China hosts in Shenzhen in November, and the December dates are the ones executives should plan around.
Airshow China combines flying displays by Chinese and foreign military and civil aircraft with a large exhibition covering aircraft, engines, avionics, space systems, unmanned aircraft and air defence. It is the principal venue at which China's aerospace and defence industry, including the state aircraft manufacturers and the commercial aircraft programme, presents new products, and at which foreign suppliers and airlines meet Chinese customers and partners.
For executives in aerospace, defence, airlines, leasing and space, the show is a reading of Chinese aerospace ambitions and of the commercial opportunities open to foreign companies in engines, systems, maintenance and training. Gulf airlines, leasing companies and defence groups with Chinese partnerships attend, and the show is also where Chinese export sales of aircraft and defence systems to Middle Eastern and African customers are frequently announced. The rescheduled dates are confirmed by the organiser's announcement.
