China’s largest military transport plane enters service

China’s largest military transport aircraft has been put into service, enabling Beijing to deploy its forces around the world.

Xinhua news agency said the Y-20 plane entered service on Wednesday and will be used to move forces and cargo over “long distances in diverse weather.”

It "marks a crucial step for the air force improving its strategic power projection capability," Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke was quoted as saying.

The plane will be used for "safeguarding national security as well as domestic and international rescue and relief work," Shen added.

The plane is the largest transport aircraft built in China. It has a maximum payload of 66 tons and can carry that for as far as 4,400 km, the state news agency said.

It added that the aircraft could fly from western China to Egypt with 55 tons on board.

China is engaged in territorial disputes with its neighbors in the East and South China seas.

On Monday, China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that two Japanese jets took “provocative” actions near a pair of Chinese jets in the East China Sea on June 17.

SS