Hmmm, heavy traffic of news and picts in both the forums and official media. Probably due to Zhuhai coming up in less than two weeks (:D 😀 :D)

Perhaps the first public declaration of the PRC’s intention of entering the fight for China’s own aviation market. Chinese manufacturers supplying Chinese airlines would by default create giants in the industry.

http://english.people.com.cn/200410/22/eng20041022_161240.html

Judging not only by profits and losses: Comment

The European Airbus and the US Boeing recently took the issue to the WTO about which has taken government subsidies. Apart from the merits of the dispute what deserves our reflection is the reason for these countries of market economy to aid their civil aviation manufacturers, over a long period of time, with indirect subsidies or even direct financial assistance which amount to as much as hundreds of millions of US dollars each year, no to mention the fact that these companies have long passed their childhood and have become well established and vigorously developed “giants” with formidable strengths.

. . .

Calculating by simply comparing investments and output China has made a bad bargain and little hope of success is seen in the future. What is more, whether or not consumers and airline companies will accept domestic civil aircrafts is far from certain. For this reason there is no necessity to invest huge financial and material resources into developing large civil aircraft industry.

Now, the Europe and US’ insisting on presenting the civil aviation manufacturing industry with “generous gifts” effectively rebuts this view. Full support given by Western developed countries to the aviation manufacturing industry not only illustrates the importance of civil aviation industry to the national economy but also the fact that without government support and preferential policies the high-investment and high-risk aviation manufacturing industry has little chance of getting anywhere.

. . .

China’s total aviation transportation turnover is already among the top five in the world. Looking from a strategic angle China’s aviation industry should in no case give up such a huge market.

. . .

Judging from this point of view not only can we not give up developing our own civil aircrafts and large aircrafts but we also should build a congenial policy environment for it by, for example, providing more support in industrial policy, finance and credit and taxation etc. There are bound to be failures and setbacks in the process, but we should not quit so easily. Nor should we judge its success simply by its profits and losses since its strategic significance and pulling effect are hard to measure.

It sounds like a direct call to arms for the Chinese aircraft industry. Interestingly enough, this is the 20th year since China gave up the Y10 and divorced airlines from aircraft makers.

I think we are seeing a first step of a concerted national effort.

It seems like the FTC2000/JL9 has reached CFTE for testing.

Which engine?

Comments?

The picture of the outlet nozzle looks like that from the J-7. Could be the WP-13. But then again it could be pictures from a variety of engines spliced together during a science show.

Sounds like warning shot across the bow of Boeing, and in the official Chinese paper too.

Beating Boeing 50-10 in sales is amazing especially in China when the Chinese fleet had been completely dominated by Boeing until just five years ago. If Boeing keeps getting clobbered by a 5 to 1 ratio every year the race for top spot wouldn’t even be close. The Dreamliner better sell because it seems their entire future is dependent on it.

Boeing’s situation is looking remarkably like Loral and Hughes who used to dominate the world’s satellite market to the tune of 80 percent.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-10/20/content_384005.htm

Is Airbus ready to take off?

By Wang Yu (China Business Weekly)
Updated: 2004-10-20 09:35

Boeing and global arch-rival Airbus are sparing no efforts to promote their aeroplanes’ different design concepts in China.

In this bitter battle, Airbus currently has the upper hand in terms of confirmed orders. But what are the prospects for the future?

European plane maker Airbus turned out to be the largest beneficiary of French President Jacques Chirac’s commerce-driven visit to China as the giant France-based aircraft manufacturer recently struck deals with two major Chinese carriers, Air China and China Eastern airlines.

Air China agreed to purchase six Airbus A319 planes, valued for their performance at some of the world’s highest airports, in Latin America and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

. . .

China Eastern Airlines, meanwhile, confirmed its order for 20 Airbus A330s.

. . .

So far, Airbus’ confirmed orders for this year in China has surpassed 50, while its global competitor Boeing’s land short of 10.

. . .

“China is the new frontier for the development of Airbus. This will probably be the second biggest market in the world in terms of volume in the coming 20 years,” said Forgeard.

“I am convinced that this is a place where we are going to develop with the whole range of planes, including the A380,” Forgeard stressed.

. . .

“China can be Airbus’s main partner outside Europe,” Forgeard said.