China's homegrown jet hits turbulence from US trade war

On the reddish plains of Turpan in northwestern China, COMAC has conducted test flights of its C919 passenger jet since late June. Temperatures in the city can exceed 40 C in the height of summer, and the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China seeks to ensure that the aircraft withstands the blistering heat. COMAC and its passenger jet are key components of Beijing's drive to become a global leader in high-tech industries. Though the latest tests bring the country one step closer to becoming a major airplane producer, the US trade war has highlighted how China's aerospace industry remains dependent on foreign technology and parts. Development of the C919 began in 2008. The roughly 160-seat plane is comparable in size to the Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737, which are used widely by major carriers and budget airlines alike. COMAC has received orders for over 800 jets, largely from Chinese airlines. China currently relies on US and European makers for the majority of its aircraft. But with aerospace technology a crucial area of promotion under President Xi Jinping's "Made in China 2025" manufacturing initiative launched in 2015, Beijing wants more than 10% of passenger jets on major routes to be made at home within five years. As part of this effort, China has been absorbing foreign know-how. COMAC parent Aviation Industry Corp. of China formed a joint venture with US-based Parker Hannifin for fuel control systems, and with United Technologies, now Raytheon Technologies, for power systems. Story has more.<br/>