The People's Liberation Army Air Force has begun retiring its Chengdu J-7 jet fighters that first flew in 1966.
They are currently used as pilot trainers. It was once the country's most numerous fighter with a fleet of more than 2,000. There are 300 in service now.
Chinese state-run media said the J-7 was "the absolute main force in fighting for aerial superiority." The plane's latest version is the J-7G - which has been in service since 2003.
The J-7 significantly contributed to safeguarding China's airspace, said Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert.
China Central TV said the air force had begun to decommission the J-7 and will replace it with third- and fourth-generation fighters.
These new planes include the Chengdu J-10 third-generation fighter; the Shenyang J-11 fourth generation fighter and the Shenyang J-16 fighter.
