Generals from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) said here Thursday that they were confident of the home-developed J-20 jet fighter, noting that the stealth fighter is for protecting the country's airspace.

"I have every confidence in the J-20 stealth jet fighter," said Major General Zhu Heping, vice dean of the Air Force Command College.

Zhu, also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the 11th National Committee of CPPCC, the country's top political advisory body, which opened in Beijing Thursday.

"The J-20 can be used to seek air domination. That means we can use the jet to defend our airspace if it is invaded," said Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo, also a CPPCC member, adding that the stealth fighter will only be deployed within China's territory.

The J-20 made its first flight in January when U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited China.

Some analysts said the J-20 could challenge America's air domination, but Gates brushed aside such worries, saying that the J-20 still lagged far behind the U.S stealth jet fighter.