China has showcased its long-awaited J-20 fighter jet in public for the first time.

The long-range, radar-evading jet did a flypast at an air show in the southern city of Zhuhai - the country's biggest meeting of plane makers and buyers.

Until now, only bloggers had been given a preview of the plane, which analysts say resembles Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor jet.

Beijing hopes the plane will improve the country's air force capabilities.

The J-20 has been developed and made by the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Group, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

Hotly anticipated

The fighter is not the only new piece of military hardware expected to be given an international audience for the first time.

China's International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition - also called Airshow China - has become one of the world's biggest events of its kind.

And though firms from around the world will exhibit at the meeting in Guangdong province, it is the latest Chinese aircraft and weapons that will get the most attention.

The Y-20, China's first heavy transporter jet has already been unveiled.

Also hotly anticipated is the AG-600 seaplane, the largest of its kind in the world and likely to be used for search and rescue missions as well as patrolling China's seas.

A Xian H-6K bomber and the new Changhe Z-10K attack helicopter are also expected to make their first appearances.

(BBC)