French Aerobatic Team "Patrouille de France" will stage an exciting performance in Hong Kong on Oct. 20 during its first visit to China, according to a press release issued by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong Wednesday.

The aerobatic team's visit to China is part of "French Culture Year in China" program and in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Sino-French relations.

During their display for about 35 minutes in Hong Kong, the team comprising 13 aircraft will perform 28 different figures at between 30 and 1,500 meters above water at speeds varying between 200 and 600 kilometers per hour. Besides Hong Kong, the team is also scheduled to stage performance in Beijing, Wuhan and Zhuhai in the Chinese mainland.

Since 1953, the team has performed in over 30 countries and has drawn more than 60 million viewers.

Team members are elite pilots selected from different fighting units of the French Air Force. Aged between 30 and 38 years old, each aspiring pilot must have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying time on jet aircraft and hold the title of team leader from his squadron of origin before even being considered joining "Patrouille de France".