Book excerpt: This is the definitive reference source examining all aspects of one of the most powerful air forces in the world, the Chinese. Although China has been a significant air power for more than fifty years, very little has been published or even known about its capabilities. Along with the recent emergence of China as a world economic and military superpower, China has recently invested huge sums of money in modernizing its air force, developing its own aircraft and technology as well as buying from overseas. This remarkable new book unveils for the very first time, the full details of the organization, capabilities, and aircraft of all Chinese air forces - the third largest in the world today. It details the Chinese air force's order of battle, from the top command down to the operational regiments and squadrons. It also includes descriptions and specifications of the Air Force and the NSavy main fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.