In celebrating the centenary year of world's first manned powered flight of 1903, China's aviation manufacturing watchdog spoke highly of the advantages that powered flight has brought to modern life, while pledging to bolster the expansion of its air transport sector.

The past century of the success of aerospace has brought great progress to human civilization and has changed the whole of society, said Zhang Yunchuan, minister of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.

It is the duty of people in this "new century of powered flight" to further advance aviation, said Zhang, whose commission is responsible for making the aviation industry development blueprint and technological policies in China.

Fuelled by its rapid and robust economic development, China offers good prospects for the aviation industry, he said.

The ranking of the country's civil aviation revenue ton kilometers (RTKs) in the world has rocketed from No 35 in 1980 to No 6 last year.

It is projected to be ranked among the world's top three by 2020, according to some industry insiders.

Despite the great disparities existing between China's aviation industry and the world's advanced aircraft manufacturers, the country is determined to achieve this, Zhang said.

While promoting an operational mechanism in line with market economic principles for civil aircraft manufacturing, the government encourages domestic aircraft makers, including private firms, to cooperate with foreign businesses, Zhang said.

The government will enhance its support for research and development in the aviation industry, meanwhile diverting multiple sources of investment into the sector, he said.

It will also back the establishment of civil aircraft rent service companies, he said.

Zhang's vision is echoed by Liu Gaozuo, president of the China Aviation Industry Corp I (AVIC I), who said China should step up the development of civilian planes by combining its own efforts with international cooperation.

As a leading manufacturer of military and civil aircraft, aero-engines and airborne equipment in China, AVIC I wants to grab a share of the lucrative aircraft supply market in China, which has to add some US$120 billion worth of planes in the coming two decades, Liu said.

Development of regional planes, which will constitute a sizeable portion of the nation's future air transport fleet, has already received great support from the State Council, Liu said.

In addition to ensuring the safety of its civil aircraft, the company is trying to make its products both comfortable for passengers and cost-effective for buyers, he said.

AVIC I hopes that its new domestically-made turbo fan regional ARJ21 jet will become a success in the market, he said.

The regional jet, which AVIC I owns independent intellectual property rights, is scheduled for take-off in 2005.

(China Daily September 16, 2003)