Update: The article has since been removed from the AvBuyer website.
AvBuyer.com.cn is a website owned by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. It recently published an article in English, without a byline that starts thusly:
The ARJ-21 and China’s long, slow climb to the skies
Covering this year’s Zhuhai Air Show, The Economist takes a look at China’s first domestically-produced jetliner, the AVIC1 Commercial Aircraft Corporation’s ARJ-21, and on the eve of the regional jet’s maiden test flight takes a moment to consider its commercial prospects. Their verdict: don’t count China out.
Many foreign analysts doubt that Western airlines will ever be prepared to buy Chinese aircraft. But, as in other fields, China is playing a long game.
Much of the debate about the ARJ-21 thus far has centered around two issues: first, whether the ARJ-21 will attract buyers beyond the Chinese airlines who are compelled to purchase it (and GE, who is making a pile selling engines for the jet); and second, whether China will ever develop a globally competitive civil aviation industry.
Both questions miss the point. What is most important about the ARJ-21 is the lessons it teaches us about the process China goes through to catch up with the rest of the world in technical, complex, high-value industries.
Funny thing is, the article is an exact copy of a blog post by David Wolf titled The ARJ-21 and China’s Long, Slow Climb to the Skies.
- David Wolf’s blog: Silicon Hutong
- CAAC website: The ARJ-21 and China’s long, slow climb to the skies