The Advanced Regional Jets for the 21st Century, or ARJ21, China's first regional jetliners holding independent intellectual property rights, will be launched soon.

A CCTV correspondent visited the ARJ21's workshop inside the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory and found the aircraft almost completely assembled.

The workshop manager asserted that the body of the plane has been put together and the tail, engine and wing sectors are currently being affixed to the aircraft. 

The ARJ21 will seat 70 to 90 people. The plane's components were produced at various plants around the country and taken to Shanghai for final assembly.

Another advertising name for the ARJ21 is being collected online; a newer, snappier name will be publicized by the end of this year.

The ARJ21 will go on its maiden test flight in March of next year. The first plane will be handed over to its purchaser in September 2009.

The ARJ21 series plane has adopted advanced technology including supercritical wing designs, allowing the craft to remain air born for 1200 to 2000 sea miles. The purchasing company plans to offer nonstop flying service for more than 98% of their domestic flights.

(China.org.cn by Chen Lin December 10, 2007)