China's first home-grown passenger jet makes commercial debut
The Straits Times|May 29, 2023
China Eastern Airlines launched the country's home-grown narrow-body C919 jet for passenger service on Sunday, with the plane's first commercial flight marking a milestone in China's effort to become more self-reliant in aviation.
China's first home-grown passenger jet makes commercial debut

The C919 is the product of state-backed Commercial Aviation Corp of China (Comac) which began developing the jet 15 years ago to rival Airbus's A320neo and Boeing's 737 MAX single-aisle jet families.

President Xi Jinping has hailed the project as a triumph of Chinese innovation, while on Sunday state media trumpeted the plane as a symbol of industrial prowess and national pride.

"After generations of endeavour, we finally broke the West's aviation monopoly and rid ourselves of the humiliation of '800 million shirts for one Boeing", Beijing Daily wrote, referring to the early years of economic reform around 40 years ago when China manufactured mainly low-value goods.

This story is from the May 29, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 29, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
SIXERS KEEP HOPES ALIVE
The Straits Times

SIXERS KEEP HOPES ALIVE

Maxey hits 46pts against Knicks, says they didn’t give up as season on the line

time-read
2 mins  |
May 02, 2024
QUEIROZ'S SIX GRAND FOR THREE ACE RIDES
The Straits Times

QUEIROZ'S SIX GRAND FOR THREE ACE RIDES

Jockey trades one-day ban for 6k fine and May I8 ticket to ride, but not in Kranji Mile

time-read
3 mins  |
May 02, 2024
For SMEs, going green Is critical but they face multiple challenges
The Straits Times

For SMEs, going green Is critical but they face multiple challenges

DBS and SBF want to change mindsets and guide firms’ sustainability journeys

time-read
5 mins  |
May 02, 2024
Yen intervention shows Asia is losing patience with the mighty US dollar
The Straits Times

Yen intervention shows Asia is losing patience with the mighty US dollar

Indonesia and Taiwan also recently took steps to shore up their currencies

time-read
4 mins  |
May 02, 2024
Are tax cuts and government spending fuelling US inflation?
The Straits Times

Are tax cuts and government spending fuelling US inflation?

Debate could impact how Fed sets policy in months ahead, and shape decisions by the next president

time-read
4 mins  |
May 02, 2024
Wish comes true for author who wanted to meet family of S'porean WWII hero
The Straits Times

Wish comes true for author who wanted to meet family of S'porean WWII hero

Daredevil pilot with British air force was inspiration behind a character in her book

time-read
4 mins  |
May 02, 2024
There's a place for 'magic' too in this clean and efficient city
The Straits Times

There's a place for 'magic' too in this clean and efficient city

Creating and sustaining a sense of spontaneity, magic among urban issues explored in a new book

time-read
4 mins  |
May 02, 2024
Limited training options for people with disabilities
The Straits Times

Limited training options for people with disabilities

Groups say more can be done to make course materials accessible, remove physical barriers

time-read
4 mins  |
May 02, 2024
Trump open to detention camps for illegal migrants
The Straits Times

Trump open to detention camps for illegal migrants

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump does not rule out building detention camps on US soil for migrants who are in the country illegally if he wins a second White House term, he told Time magazine in an interview published on April 30.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 02, 2024
The Straits Times

EU probes Meta platforms amid disinformation fears

Concerns that Facebook, Instagram failing to counter fake news ahead of bloc’s polls

time-read
2 mins  |
May 02, 2024