Chinese pilot training shortened to 5 years: PLA official

China has sped up its pilot training program so that it now takes just five years for a pilot to begin flying active combat jets.

Addressing an international seminar on military flight training in Zhuhai, Guangdong province on Oct. 30, military officials and experts noted that Chinese pilot training has greatly enhanced the performances of pilots after granting pilot at colleges access to flying aircraft such as J-7 fighters, H-6 bombers and Y-8 airfreighters.

"It used to take graduates an additional two years before they could take combat training shifts. Now, only short-term training is required before soldiers go on duty," said Liu Di, head of the training staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, in an interview with the Xinhua News Agency.

"Flight training is a fundamental way to train pilots and improve combat capabilities in the air. It is crucial to the long-term development of the whole air force," said Lieutenant General Zheng Qunliang at the seminar.

The biennial seminar has been held four times. Air force delegates from 25 countries and regions participated in this year's discussion on how to improve training.