Chinese Social Media Hails J-10 Triumph After Pakistan Downs Indian Rafales

Chinese social media has erupted in celebration following reports that Pakistan’s Air Force, using Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets, shot down Indian Air Force Rafale jets during the recent India-Pakistan aerial engagements.

Viral videos and memes have swept across major Chinese platforms, with netizens expressing pride in the J-10C’s performance and mocking the loss of India’s high-profile French fighters.

Chinese social media paying tribute to the PAF falcons — #RafaleDown https://t.co/dCAWzxnIPs

— Jaferi (@Adljaferi) May 7, 2025

China's J-10 wasn't born in a fancy lab and factory.

📷1: R&D staff;
📷2: Xue Chishou (chief engineer);
📷3: The pilot cried after J-10's maiden flight. He was prepared to sacrifice before take-off.

Perseverance and determination to outshine made it during that tough era. https://t.co/94pVBvqfem pic.twitter.com/Y0LJpHLCsh

— Li Zexin (@XH_Lee23) May 8, 2025

Chinese netizens are highlighting the J-10C’s success as proof of the growing capabilities of Chinese military technology, especially given that the Rafale is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced 4.5-generation fighters.

Before the latest India-Pakistan round, the Chinese J-10 fighter jet was considered one of the most ignored Chinese fighter jets. But this clash has brought sudden and unexpected glory for this jet.

Here's a J-10 edit that's been circulating on Chinese social media: pic.twitter.com/h5S4lehmvs

— FJ (@Natsecjeff) May 13, 2025

J-10C taking a victory lap above a defeated foe. pic.twitter.com/2tTNE8Qj72

— Zhao DaShuai 东北进修🇨🇳 (@zhao_dashuai) May 12, 2025

Chinese Social Media is on different level

Trolling France and India after Pakistan shot down three Rafale.
pic.twitter.com/e3NiMY1K35

— Shadowed News 🗞️ (@shadowed_news) May 13, 2025

Well, the trolling continues on the next level:

The Chinese people are obviously having a good time making fun of India for the downing of India’s Rafale.
Many brown face Tunak Tunak Tun parodies on the Chinese internet. pic.twitter.com/7Ko5BnvpVe

— Manju (@mandate2049) May 9, 2025

LMAO. pic.twitter.com/giduEr37GS

— Manju (@mandate2049) May 13, 2025

pic.twitter.com/fTmAMoPz1E

— Manju (@mandate2049) May 14, 2025

چائنیز ناٹ کمنگ سلو۔۔۔🤣
روز کوئی نیا تماشا لگا رہے انڈیا کا۔ pic.twitter.com/nuHTsvwTRx

— أســــد نثار (@AsadViews) May 13, 2025

Read More: Pakistan’s Use of Chinese J-10C Jets Boosts Chinese Arms Market, Bloomberg Report

Chinese social media has enthusiastically celebrated the reported success of the J-10C in downing Indian Rafale jets, using humour, parody, and nationalist pride to amplify the event online. This reaction underscores both the symbolic and strategic importance of the J-10C’s performance for China’s defence industry and its growing influence in global military affairs.

While Beijing has remained cautious in its official commentary, Chinese state media, such as the Global Times, have reported on the J-10C’s role in the aerial skirmishes, further fueling nationalist sentiment online.

Western and regional media, including Reuters and Al Jazeera, have reported that Pakistani J-10s were responsible for downing at least two to three Indian Rafales, though India has not officially confirmed the losses and maintains that all pilots returned safely.

J-10C and Rafale

• The Chengdu J-10C is a multi-role fighter jet developed by China. It was introduced to the Pakistani Air Force in March 2022 7. It can reach speeds of Mach 1.8 and has an operational range of approximately 1,250 miles with external fuel tanks.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has 36 Rafale fighter jets.

• The J-10C may have a more advanced radar and PL-15E missiles with a longer range than the Rafale. The PL-15E missile has a range of more than 200 km.

• Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated that J-10C jets downed five Indian fighter jets, three of which were Rafales.

• Pakistan claimed the J-10C fighters used PL-15E air-to-air missiles.

• India has denied these claims, calling them disinformation.

• An unnamed French intelligence official reportedly told CNN that a Pakistani jet shot down an Indian Rafale.

• Reuters cited U.S. officials who stated Pakistani fighter jets downed at least two Indian aircraft, including one Rafale.