China to make own large aircraft

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the executive meeting of China’s State Council on February 26, when it was announced that China will manufacture its own large aircraft. The meeting discussed the report of the large aircraft key special project group on large aircraft plan. It also approved the establishment of a large jetliner stock company. Large aircraft refer to planes with at least 150 seats. Chinese officials said China may start making the aircraft by 2020. Private investment and international cooperation may be involved in the new company. In an opinion issued on March 1, the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense encouraged non-state-owned enterprises to participate in high technology development and industrialization in the military and civilian sectors.