China's Mysterious J-36 Fighter Flies Over Cars in Dramatic Close Encounter

Footage has surfaced showing a prototype of China's enigmatic fighter jet, unofficially known as the Chengdu J-36, swooping over traffic.

The J-36 is one of two sixth-generation fighters reportedly in development, expected to feature advanced computing, sensor, and stealth capabilities—as the Asia-Pacific's largest air force works to solidify its position in the region.

Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment.

Why It Matters

China's military modernization push has brought it capabilities that roughly match—and in some ways exceed—those of its geopolitical rival the United States. President Xi Jinping has set 2049, the centennial of the People's Republic of China, as the target date for building what he calls a "world-class military."

That arms race extends to the skies. China's H-6 bomber, which has been operational for many years, gives Beijing the ability to hit targets in potential conflict zones like the disputed South China Sea or U.S. bases in the Pacific like Guam, an ability that may be greatly enhanced by the J-36.

What To Know

The latest sighting of the J-36 appeared first on China's Weibo platform and was reshared Monday on X (formerly Twitter) by @SweetClay, an account that tracks Chinese military hardware.

The six-second clip, captured by a motorist, is the clearest view of the aircraft to date. It shows the jet flying just tens of feet above a highway in broad daylight. Aviation tracking account @RickJoe_PLA geolocated the video to an area just east of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation factory in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province.

The aircraft's triangular, tailless shape reduces its radar cross-section and its three-engine design could offer enough extra thrust to enable it to travel farther and faster than current Chinese fighters.

While Chinese authorities have been tightening control over sensitive military-related information, recent public appearances of the plane were likely government-approved to signal the J-36 program continues to gather pace, Andrew Erickson, professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, wrote in a recent commentary.

The U.S. is developing its own sixth-generation aircraft, dubbed the F-47 under the Next Generation Air Dominance program. In March, President Donald Trump declared it would be "the most lethal aircraft ever built," saying the first units would enter service before the end of his second term—though no official timeline has been confirmed.

What People Are Saying

Andrew Erickson, professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, wrote in December for the 19FortyFive defense and foreign policy website: "While details remain fuzzy and there have been no official comments yet, broader dynamics are already clear [...]

"The scope and scale of China's military aviation advances evokes the Luftwaffe's relentless rise amid Germany's ramp-up for World War II. Today—no other nation is working simultaneously on so many distinct military aircraft programs in general, or so many modern tactical jet programs in particular—as China."

The U.S. Department of Defense wrote in its annual congressional report on China's military power: "The PLA Air Force is modernizing and indigenizing its aircraft and unmanned aerial systems rapidly, matching U.S. standards."

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen when China will officially reveal its next-generation fighter aircraft. The U.S.'s F-47 has yet to make its first public appearance.