As footage and images of the potential maiden flight of China’s sixth-generation fighter jet went viral on Thursday, the country’s official military media appeared to quietly confirm the rumors.

While the jet – which observers speculate has state-of-the-art stealth and endurance capabilities – has not yet been officially identified or named, a provincial newspaper referred to the aircraft.

The post spread quickly on social media and was widely interpreted as a semi-official recognition of the new fighter aircraft.

The test flight coincided with the birthday of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. Many Chinese netizens commemorated Mao on social media, with some viewing the flight as a symbolic tribute to the former leader.