An overseas returnee behind China’s aerospace ambition

A new era for China’s aviation industry

China’s civil aviation industry started in the 1950s and over the past 60 years, it has undergone many hardships. The R&D of domestic large aircraft began in 1971, but it was not until 2002 that China’s domestic civil aviation industry really took off. With the success of C919’s maiden flight on May 5, 2017, China’s civil aviation entered a new highly advanced development stage.

Dr. Xu was still emotional when he recounted the moment of C919’s first flight. With tears in his eyes, he said the cloudy weather at Pudong International Airport that day reminded him of the twists and turns China’s civil aviation, from Shanghai Y-10 to AE-100, had encountered. And for Chinese aviation workers, there were many bitter untold stories. So, after going through so many setbacks, to witness C919 breaking through the clouds that day was a momentous achievement. He told the reporter, “I think that day heralded a new era.”

(C919 took its maiden flight on May 5, 2017.)