What changes will the aforesaid cooperation bring about to China's civil aviation design and manufacture? Last year the civil aviation registered a passenger flow of 84.25 million, coupled with the aviation capacity climbing to the world 4th. Can China make her own new-type feeder plane? People around the world remember such a promise: The home designed & made regional jetliner ARJ21 will take off in 2006 and be formally handed over for use in 2007. So, how far has the development gone?

New Chinese jet makes an eye-catching appearance in Paris

In the 45th Paris Air Show held from June 15 to 22, China Aviation Industry Corporation I (CAIC I) exhibited a regional turbo fan jet ARJ21, which drew wide attention of related circles. During the exhibition period, thousands of visitors boarded this jetliner and took pictures before it.

"The new-type feeder jetliner ARJ21 is designed and manufactured by China herself, with independent intellectual property rights." Said Mr. Huang Qiang, head with China's first aviation design research institute, which undertook the design of this exhibited jet. "The previous regional airliners were manufactured in consultation with turbojets. The new domestically-made feeder ARJ21 turbo fan jet, with 78 to 85 seats, is up to the international standard, and it is expected to take the place of foreign imported ones." According to Mr. Huang Qiang, this jet marks that China's civil airliners have leapt up to a new stage of modernization.

Digital offices break up regional restrictions

"China's civil airliner design and manufacture has undergone repeated ups and downs." Mr. Huang Qiang said, "as regards the slow development, the reason is that opportunities were lost in debates over whether to make jetliners of her own or to import them, to establish design center in Shanghai or in Xi'an and what not."

Taking the chance of the development of new-type ARJ21 turbo fan jet and integrating advantages of resources, CAIC I established the first aviation design research institute, the largest of its kind in China so far, and based its headquarters in Yanliang Xi'an as defined the strategy.

Xi'an Plane Design Research Institute has a history of over 40 years and a technician contingent of more than 2300. This institute also developed and sent into the sky China's first heavy bomber, the first civil airliner, the first fighter and the first early warning plane.

Shanghai Plane Design Research Institute, which is situated in the forefront of China's reform and opening up to the outside world, has a technical detachment of over 600. This institute once designed the "Yun 10", which roused an enthusiastic uproar by flying over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to arrive in Lhasa. Later on, this institute undertook the plane development of several types including that of the feeder ARJ21 jetliner.

After the integration for mutual complement, the two institutes will function in two separate places but under a uniformed organization. The integrated administration not only caters to the west development, but is also sure to raise the design and research capability of the country's pivot-type planes.

The newly inaugurated institute writes a military pledge

When entering the gate of the Yanliang branch of the first civil aviation research design institute, one will see, standing straight in front of a lawn, a megalith with "China Leopard" engraved in red on it. The type of "leopard" fighter, once exhibited in Zhuhai Air Show in November 1998 and participated the parade in the Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1999, was made to set off from here.

Mr. Huang Qiang noted, "Before seeing the daylight the new feeder jet has no alternative but to take part in a harsh international competition. We take the advantage of advanced passenger planes in the world. The stronger the rival is, the more interesting the play becomes. We have pledged to deliver the blueprint by the yearend and to put into production next year. We ensure that the new-generation ARJ21 feeder jet will see its maiden flight in 2006 and be duly put into operation in 2007."

Taking an overall view round the globe, cartel and regrouping between aviation companies has become a trend in the international aviation industry, with an eye to strengthening the competitiveness. The US Boeing merged with Mcdonnell Douglas, and the European Airbus Company undertook integration, forging two "monopolies" in the world aviation industry.

According to the forecast by the US-based Boeing Company, China will need another 1912 new planes by 2010, with a total value of US$165 billion, and the market scale will bulge up next only to the US in the world, presenting a bright market perspective. The conformity of advantageous resources this time has not only helped China's competitive forces to take shape, but also pushes the research of civil airliners forward to a new starting point.

(People's Daily July 3, 2003)