january utc the j despite rumours is not based on the lavi chengdu was already working on a canard plane before the lavi program the fact that you bring this up raise question on sources of information i hope it is not wikipedia chengdu actually got technology from us before ussr collapse us allow chinese engineer to come to us and work with us defence contractors this is documented and russia after both transfer were however incomplete and chengdu had to adsorb the technology the fact that they got input on modern technology form the major power is what make it logical that they can develop modern planes now but seeing is believing we have video of a thottle up thottle down test on landing showing it has operational engine also the article you read is regarding j problem which is unique to single engine planes the j b has been equipped with chinese engine and flying in the elite unit near beijing it hard to dispute something already in service again i remind that this is just a prototype it is not a production type no one here suggest they can make a of these economically but making working prototype is not that hard remember that f prototype emerge years before us has the ability to mass produce them that is the whole point of making prototypes to solve problems i really don't understand why some are acting like the existence of prototype must mean china has reach the same level as us that just crazy thought