The Chinese have yet to build a large commercial jet, let alone an engine that can power it, writes Kobus van der Wath A MILESTONE yet to be fully achieved by China is establishing a dominant position throughout the value chain of the world’s aviation industry.As a sign of its lack of development, the majority of aircraft owned by Chinese airline carriers have to be repaired and maintained overseas. But more significantly, the Chinese have yet to build a large commercial jet, let alone an engine that can power it.But all of that is about to change.A few days ago, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted unidentified industry sources saying the Chinese cabinet may soon approve an aircraft engine development programme that will require an initial investment of at least $16bn. Some Chinese aviation industry specialists forecast that the government will eventually spend up to $49bn on aircraft engine development over a few decades.This is a major step towards self-reliance in such a key sect...
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