The 2015 Aviation Expo has kicked off in Beijing. The four-day event will highlight the strides made in aviation not just in China, but around the world. Day 1 focused on Chinese airlines.

The ARJ-21 is the first regional jet we've developed. For the past six months it's been doing trial flights. The plane is expected to be delivered to the Chinese market at the end of this year.

Ready to soar.

This year's Aviation EXPO has gathered more than 140 companies from 16 countries. Each eager to showcase its latest models. On Wednesday, all eyes were on China's first home-made civil aircraft.

"The ARJ-21 is the first regional jet we've developed. For the past six months it's been doing trial flights. The plane is expected to be delivered to the Chinese market at the end of this year," Dang Tiehong with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China said.

With a spacious cabin, the ARJ-21 can adapt to high temperatures and fly easily in mountainous areas.

The model has already met with clear success

"We have also signed a deal with the Republic of Congo. Three ARJ-21 planes will be delivered to them by 2016. "

This comes as part of the China Africa Aviation Regional Cooperation Plan.

Initiated by Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Africa in 2014, the plan aims to strenghten China's cooperation with Africa in its regional airline network construction.

Now China has opened 4 direct routes to Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Maritius. The plan is by 2020, China is going to build 2 marketing centers, 1 training center, 2 maintanence centers and 3 spare parts centers, which is known as the 2123 plan.

"China's input in various sectors in Africa is very good. We hope also that the relationship between China and Africa in aviation is going to be a very good input in our different countries in Africa," Andre Boluka, CEO of Group Services, said.

With the Expo set to continue over the coming days... China's aviation industry has already signaled its clear intention to fly as high as its global rivals.

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