China’s C919 clears the runway for overseas suppliers, broadening market appeal despite headwinds
- Since the maiden flight of C919, China’s home-grown commercial jet, overseas aviation suppliers have widened their footprint in the country’s market
- Worries over geopolitics, intellectual property have not been enough to stem appeal of China’s rapid industrial growth as demand takes off
Though the success of China’s home-grown narrowbody passenger jet is clearing the runway for the world’s top transport equipment firms to enter its market, there may be turbulence along the way, as some foreign investors have expressed concern over intellectual property rights and domestic competition is on the rise.
The two manufacturing giants have estimated China would take at least 20 per cent of global plane deliveries in the next two decades.
Stakes are thus high for Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), the C919’s manufacturer. To keep ahead of industrial and geopolitical changes, the company is ramping up production and driving further investment in China’s aviation supply chain through overseas partnerships.
This need has become all the more urgent given the heated competition between Beijing and Washington in advanced technology.
