(Source from Reuters/Alamy)China’s own airline showed its technology despite U.S. pressure. pressure
Ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party (Party Congress), which will confirm the third consecutive term of Chinese President Xi Jinping, he has launched a mid- to large-sized domestic airliner.
It is interpreted as part of a propaganda message that “the world has improved this much under President Xi’s 10-year rule, so his country will be better if he takes power once more.
On the 30th of last month, President Xi met with those who participated in the development of the domestic passenger plane C919 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and praised the achievements.
He said, “The flying of a large domestic airliner carries the will of the country, dreams, and expectations of the people,” and ordered, “Make more breakthroughs in the areas of high-tech equipment manufacturing and core technology development.”
The C919 was developed by China Commercial Aviation (COMAC) in 2006 and received a type certification (certification that the aircraft design met major standards) on the 29th of last month, 16 years later.
It is an aircraft that can install about 160 seats, with a flight distance of 4075 to 5555km and a maximum take-off weight of 70 tons.
The price of C919 announced by Eastern Airlines is $99 million , which is 30% cheaper than its competitors Airbus (Europe) A320 series and Boeing (U.S.) B737 series (up to $130 billion).
COMAC will receive orders for 815 units from 28 domestic airlines and deliver the products from the end of this year, Xinhua said.
(Source from Reuters/Alamy)As the number of low-cost carriers (LCCs) operating short-distance routes with around 200 people in Asia is increasing, demand for medium-sized aircraft for them is also increasing rapidly.
The C919 also means that China is trying to accumulate technology to enter the passenger plane market divided into Boeing and Airbus at the same time as challenging the market.
The reason why President Xi is taking special care of C919 is that it is a representative achievement of “China Manufacturing 2025” (the goal of growing China into a manufacturing superpower by 2025),
which is his “trade mark.” Even at a time when the U.S. is moving to exclude China from the high-tech supply chain, it is meaningful because it has made it difficult.
However, the obstacle is that Washington can cut off the supply if it wants to because the main components of the C919 are still the U.S. It is also a mountain to overcome unverified safety issues.
Reuters pointed out, “The C919 was made in China, but it relies on Western companies for engines and electronic devices.”
TED PARK
ASIA JOURNAL
