C919 test flight reflects success of China model

China’s homegrown C919 passenger jet successfully completed its maiden flight on Friday. With the evolution of globalization, the competitiveness of the world’s major powers is also evolving. The development of China’s first homegrown aircraft reflects the country’s manufacturing strength and signals a shift in the influence of the big powers on the international stage. It only took 10 years from the initiation of the project to test flight. China once again amazed the world with its “China speed.” A range of China’s showpiece industrial products including the high-speed railways, domestically built aircraft carrier and homegrown jet are evidence of the country’s growing industrial might. What enables China to achieve “China speed” is the country’s industrial system that remains the most complete in the world.

China’s determination to develop the jet project is certainly not for winning China a “big power” label but for creating a big scalable platform for China’s aviation manufacturing sector and the entire manufacturing industry. The manufacturing of the jumbo passenger jet also symbolizes China’s ability to transcend itself. Although some technologies and equipment are still purchased overseas, the assembly of these technologies and equipment represents a big leap, which also sets off an all-around competition and upgrade of the aircraft manufacturing-related industries. The jumbo jet is a result of China’s upgrading of its manufacturing industry. From cheap Made-in-China products that can be found all over the world to the jumbo jet that serves as a new proxy for Made-in-China quality, we cannot help asking: What drives the improvement in the quality of Made-in-China products. Political, economic, cultural elements and core values are all embodied in the creation of the jumbo jet. The success of C919’s debut flight once again convinces the world of the magic of the China model.

But the jet project still faces a long journey ahead. It will not be all smooth sailing from the test flight to mass production. The technical parameters of the jet still lag behind those of its rivals such as Boeing and Airbus. It also needs to obtain airworthiness certificates from regulators in the US and Europe before it can fly in major international markets. We started from scratch and have gone through many hardships before Made-in-China products could win recognition. When Made-in-China products were still like a blank paper struggling to gain recognition globally, we envisioned drawing the most beautiful picture on it. Today, the blank paper has shown an embryo of a beautiful picture that helps us envision a brighter future. With a better painting brush, we believe we can now draw an incredible gorgeous picture for the future of China’s aviation industry.