China unveils its own jet plane

China's first home grown regional jet, the ARJ21-700, rolled off the production line Friday, marking a milestone in its civil aviation program.

Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan attended the roll-out ceremony at Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory.

ARJ21 - an acronym for 'Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century' - marks the first step in China's ambitious plan for its civil aircraft manufacturing industry, reports The China Daily.

Programs of developing larger planes and advanced helicopters will follow it, Qin Fuguang, an official with the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, was quoted as telling reporters.

"Developing the civil aircraft industry is of strategic significance to China. It will not only satisfy the fast-growing domestic civil aviation market, but also guarantee the safety of the country's economy," he said.

At present, the civil aircraft market is largely monopolised by Boeing and Airbus.

The jet will go through a series of test flights from the first half of next year in a bid to acquire certificates from the General Administration of Civil Aviation.

VIC I is scheduled to begin deliveries to customers in the third quarter of 2009.

Wang cited a study saying there would be a demand for 900 regional jets in China in the next two decades.