China is set to manufacture its first home-made ARJ21-700 regional jet, sources with the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) have said.

The corporation said the designing draft and techniques of the jet have won approval from the experts and the key technical difficulties have been resolved after testifying.

Up to now, the jet's preliminary designing is about to close and most of its components are ready for the jet's installing.

The corporation said here Friday that the jet's systems and parts, provided by different suppliers, have get through preliminary joint design assessment. Some systems and parts will be available for installing in the third quarter of 2006.

The ARJ21 program was formally approved in 2002. The jet is expected to go into batch production in 2009. Currently, 40 orders for the jet have been received.

ARJ21 is the first regional jet that China has developed on its own in line with the standards set by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, Federal Aviation Administration and Joint Aviation Authorities.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2006)