Breakthrough for Chinese aviation

China’s prospects of becoming a competitive and quality-focused player in the global commercial aircraft market are a major plus for the industry as a whole. From sound manufacturing to home-grown innovation, these breakthroughs ease the future of regional travel and logistics. As such, Beijing represents a market that in itself warrants long-term appreciation.

Continuous advancements in the manufacturing space also reflect in the state’s strong support for emission reduction interventions. That includes the overall ‘greening’ of major infrastructure projects, with meaningful takeaways for the aviation industry. The momentum is a valuable one, because the United Nations have already agreed to a net-zero aviation target by 2050. China is on track to lead from all fronts in the service of innovation.

Recall the stellar sight by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who lauded the latest achievements in the development of China’s home-grown C919 large passenger aircraft. Xi also encouraged more breakthroughs on high-end equipment manufacturing within China. “We must focus on long-term strategies, formulate practical goals according to the real situation, choose the correct technical route, and do it one by one, one thing after another,” said Xi.

The new passenger jet, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), has met all its airworthiness certification work. It remains a testament to Beijing’s capacity to self-develop internationally competitive passenger aircrafts.

Overall, China’s aviation market has seen upward trends in growth, activity and market support. It stands to gain further on the back of a stabilising economic environment. In the first half of this year alone, the sector facilitated well over a hundred million passenger trips. That signalled high demand potential in the face of external pressures, and the need for more high-end equipment leaps in a dependable aviation sector.

China’s attention to independent intellectual property rights and technical competitiveness in its C919 process makes the point on innovation even clearer. Well-rounded progress indeed can attract similar milestones in China’s large aircraft industry. For instance, the landmark C919 product is anticipated to be more price-effective compared to international competitors, and is compliant with the fundamental safety standards of commercial operations. All this arrives at a time when the global industry remains resilient in the face of economic pressures, and conditions in China’s regional market appear increasingly favourable.

Given the Chinese government’s prioritisation of a fast-changing aviation sector, it is a welcome sign to also see major support measures for scientific and research investments. Government expenditure on sci-tech innovation reportedly exceeded 1.07 trillion yuan last year, as China’s ratio of government spending on scientific research to GDP also climbs. These long-term enablers are conducive to the aviation industry’s push for technological adaptation and global competitiveness. In the words of the Chinese President, “to be ambitious, we must strive to climb to the top of the world’s science and technology.”

There is also a broader upside to the Chinese aviation industry’s landmark achievement. By one estimate, China is likely to become the largest aviation market in the coming years, as impressive economic growth becomes a point of consideration. As such, the industry is correct to focus its energies on high-equipment manufacturing. This way, China would require thousands of new aircrafts to meet demand spread over two decades and is on-track to meet those demands. It is here that a domestically-owned manufacturing program, backed by the latest navigation technology and advanced capacities, is a service to future passenger demands and innovation goals. It is astounding to believe that the C919 program, which began over a decade ago, is presenting a breakthrough moment for Chinese aviation. It only undergirds future manufacturing leaps that have advanced the aviation industry so far.

On climbing ‘to the top’ of the world’s innovation ladder, a crucial consideration is also the targeted financial assistance from the Chinese state. Fortunately, the view from China is a very optimistic one and priorities on future innovation are well-founded.

Look to the billions in support provided to major carriers over time, and regulatory support for future macro controls to keep company interests at the forefront. As China looks to deliver its first jet by the end of this year, many of the government’s targeted assistance measures have left the sector well positioned to respond to any external risks. That includes past fluctuations in passenger demand, and even those trends within China and the Asia-Pacific region are now evolving for the better. Look to July, when Asia-Pacific carriers clocked the strongest year-on-year traffic rate compared to other regions. Beijing contributes to a favourable near-term by prioritising the entry of its high standard jet. It gives way to healthy and consistent competition with international competitors such as Boeing and Airbus.

Add to it the allure of stepped up passenger growth, stable economic recoveries, and a national focus on scientific excellence. The combination suggests that the future for Chinese aviation looks bright, and also prospects for high-end equipment manufacturing. The latter are essential to compliment the core of the industry.

The writer is a foreign affairs commentator and recipient of the Fulbright Award