Let me tell you a story.
In 1998, the J-10A made its first flight. At that time, people thought that China was decades away from achieving such level of technology.
In 2003, the J-10A entered active service, yet the government didn't release it. People always thought that the J-8 was China's best fighter at that time. All "supposed" photos of the J-10A were labeled as "fakes". J-10A was just a "wet dream", says netizens.
In 2006, the J-10A was declassified. Analysts around the world expressed shock because they didn't expect that China has such technology to build the J-10A. Within minutes, the internet was buzzing about the news of the J-10A.
The JH-7B is in the same position as the J-10A was in 1998.