What's happened
China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation (Comac) is expanding its aircraft production and orders, with work on the C939 widebody jet, construction of a new production zone in Shanghai, and a deal with Air China to purchase 100 C919 jets.
Why it matters
Comac's expansion signifies China's ambition to challenge Western aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, in the global aviation market. The increased production and orders indicate growing demand for Chinese-made aircraft, potentially impacting the competitive landscape and self-reliance goals in the aviation industry.
What the papers say
According to South China Morning Post, Comac is developing the C939 widebody jet to compete with Boeing and Airbus, while a construction firm under Comac is building a new production zone in Shanghai. The Japan Times reports that Air China has signed a deal to purchase 100 Comac C919 jets, boosting the company's presence in the commercial aircraft market.
How we got here
Comac's efforts to expand its aircraft production and orders are part of China's broader strategy to establish itself as a key player in the global aviation industry. The C919 narrowbody jet and the upcoming C939 widebody jet are pivotal in this strategy, aiming to challenge the dominance of Western manufacturers.
Common question
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The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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The Comac C919 is a narrow-body airliner developed by Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac.
The development program was launched in 2008.
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Airbus SE is a European multinational aerospace corporation. The 'SE' in the name refers to Societas Europaea, which enables it to be registered as European rather than Dutch.
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The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned aerospace manufacturer established on 11 May 2008 in Shanghai. The headquarters are in Pudong, Shanghai. The company has a registered capital of RMB 19 billion.