A KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft attached to an aviation division of the navy under the PLA Eastern Theater Command sits on the flightline and receives inspections prior to a recent night patrol mission. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yaxun)

A KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft attached to an aviation division of the navy under the PLA Eastern Theater Command flies up in the air during a recent patrol mission. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yaxun)

A KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft attached to an aviation division of the navy under the PLA Eastern Theater Command flies up in the air during a recent patrol mission. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yaxun)

A KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft attached to an aviation division of the navy under the PLA Eastern Theater Command flies over the sea during a recent patrol mission. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yaxun)

A KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft attached to an aviation division of the navy under the PLA Eastern Theater Command flies over the sea during a recent patrol mission. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yaxun)