China has developed an advanced, multipurpose light fighter plane to meet the needs of overseas customers, the official national Economic Daily reported on Wednesday.

The recent maiden flight of the plane, named Xiaolong/FC-1, or fierce dragon, proved successful in Wenjiang Airport in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

During the show, the plane demonstrated its outstanding mobility, good interception and ground attack capability, according to the report.

With advanced design and manufacturing technology, the plane has the comprehensive combat capability of a third generation fighter plane and is on par with the world's most advanced fighter planes, the report said.

The report said the plane is small in size and low in cost and suitable for modern warfare and the demands of military fighters.

It took about four years for Chengdu Aircraft Group Corp, in cooperation with China Aero Technology Import & Export Co, to develop the plane.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2003)