Experts say that H-20 bombers with stealth capabilities can help the Chinese air force show its strength across the continent.

"H-20 bomber equipped with conventional attack missiles and nuclear warheads will be a major breakthrough in the theory and practice of the Chinese Air Force's weapon development", SCMP dated November 26

The H-20 is a stealth bomber that has been announced by the Chinese military (PLA) to develop plans from 2016, expected to be in service in 2021. Chinese media said the H-20 can carry 45 tons

The H-20 development program is part of a plan to expand the range of bombers on the Chinese air force's payroll, which are part of the military's ambitions to increase combat capacity.

"The H-20 will give China the ability to display true transcontinental power," RUSI said, saying that this bomber model could help China achieve its ambitions to possess "offensive capabilities" in China.

The RUSI report stated that the Chinese Air Force is currently only a regional force capable of operating in the "first island chain", a term used to refer to the area inside the perimeter connecting the Kuril Islands to Japan.

In a report released in August, the US Department of Defense estimated the range of the H-20 up to 8,500 km, capable of hitting targets on the island of Guam, which is located on the "second island chain".

Military expert Song Trung in Beijing said the H-20 was designed "to reach American territory" and is part of China's nuclear trio, alongside ground-launched missiles and warships.

The position of the first island chain and the second island chain.

Zhang Zhaozhong, a professor at the National Defense University of the Chinese military, asserted that stealth is the "core competency" of the H-20.

"Stealth ability is selected by the US and Russia or demonstrated on next generation bombers," the expert said.

However, some Western experts say China faces difficulty in finding ways to ensure control of large aircraft using wing designs like the H-20.

The RUSSI report said China is developing medium-range aircraft that are difficult to see with the naked eye, helping to improve the PLA's strike capabilities in disputed spaces, "especially important US bases at