Vietjet to expand fleet with 20 long-range Airbus jets

The aircraft boasts carbon-composite fabrication materials, fuel efficiency and filtration systems with higher levels of humidity in the air for long-distance flights.

The deal is expected to be finalized soon.

The flight is the latest sign of China's growing ambition and technical skill.

This will strengthen the military and manufacturing ability of China.

Japan will launch a tender for fighter jets as soon as mid-July, the Ministry of Defence said, in a deal seen worth up to $40 billion as Tokyo seeks to bolster its air defences amid creeping tension with China over disputed maritime borders.

Turkey will not pay compensation to Russia over the downing of a fighter jet last year and has only expressed regret over the incident, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday, after President Tayyip Erdogan wrote to his Russian counterpart.

Vietnam is looking to strengthen its military muscle and Japan has emerged as a potential supplier. The Nikkei Asian Review cited a Japanese official as saying that the Vietnamese navy has informally asked to buy second-hand anti-submarine aircraft.