[AndyPharmc]

China 'leaks' pictures of stealth fighter jet test run
China's first stealth fighter jet staged a runway test on Wednesday and could undergo its first flight on Thursday, according to Chinese media reports.
1:28PM GMT 05 Jan 2011

Both the English and Chinese language editions of the Global Times ran front-page articles on the leaked photos of a J-20 fighter, along with extensive reports on the buzz the pictures have generated overseas.

Photos of the plane appeared on unofficial military news websites and hobbyist blogs last week and were still viewable on Wednesday.

The Global Times did not comment on the authenticity of the pictures, but since the government wields extensive control over state media, the report's appearance and the fact that censors have not removed images from websites suggest a calculated move to leak the information into the public sphere.

That in turn would reflect the growing confidence of the traditionally secretive People's Liberation Army, which is pushing for greater influence and bigger budgets.
....
Chinese progress in that field calls into question U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' decision to cap production of the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter at 187 planes. Supporters of the F-22 have warned of growing threats from China, as well as Russia, which has developed a stealth prototype that is already in the test flight stage.

Analysis of the J-20 photos shows it to be larger than either the Russian or U.S. planes, likely allowing it to fly further and carry heavier weapons. It also probably makes it less maneuverable. I also doubt that they have radar absorbent paint to match ours. Never the less, the proliferation of 5th generation fighters will only streach our meager stealth fighter force that much thinner.