https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/519757/feed Track China’s ambitious aerospace advancements, from the home-grown commercial aircraft to space exploration, and their global impact. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s chief civilian aircraft builder will command 5 per cent of the world’s fleet allocation by 2045 as global demand for narrowbody jets and the domestic order book look strong, an aviation analytics firm has forecast. Airbus would have 47 per cent of the passenger fleet allocation and Boeing 39 per cent, both leading state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), analytics firm Cirium forecast on Tuesday. It said Embraer would take 3 per cent and ATR 2 per cent. Comac has a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370841/c919-set-lead-way-chinese-aircraft-forecast-secure-5-world-market-20-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370841/c919-set-lead-way-chinese-aircraft-forecast-secure-5-world-market-20-years Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:52:28 +0000 Sherry Wang Sherry Wang China is seeking public comments on draft rules that would streamline procedures for “low-risk” exports of aviation components such as engines and inertial navigation systems to give the industry a competitive boost. Such avionics currently are classified by Chinese authorities as “dual-use” items, which can serve both civilian and military purposes, and are subject to strict export licensing requirements. If implemented, “this will reduce compliance costs for an industry with extensive... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/policy/article/3370685/china-proposes-streamlined-export-rules-low-risk-avionics-boost-industry https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/policy/article/3370685/china-proposes-streamlined-export-rules-low-risk-avionics-boost-industry Tue, 13 Oct 2026 06:00:13 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings A reported move by the United States to restrict exports of aircraft parts to China would place another speed bump on production of the C919 – a Chinese passenger jet designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing – as alternative sources of critical components for the plane are not readily available, according to analysts. The US Commerce Department has slowed export licensing for civilian aeroplane parts to China in recent weeks to strengthen Washington’s position in trade talks with Beijing,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369588/chinas-c919-jet-faces-further-delivery-delays-amid-us-export-chill-analysts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369588/chinas-c919-jet-faces-further-delivery-delays-amid-us-export-chill-analysts Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Wency Chen,Ben Jiang Wency Chen,Ben Jiang As technological developments augur an era of renewed space exploration, China is aiming to become a major player. In the second part of this two-part series, Wency Chen and Ben Jiang examine the country’s strategy and progress on reusable rockets – a field where the US has a tremendous lead. US commercial space firm SpaceX has been eager to tout its deployment of reusable first-stage rocket boosters, claiming to have flown more than 600 missions with the cost-cutting launch components. Despite... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3367874/china-has-gained-pace-space-race-recovering-rockets-can-it-relaunch-one https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3367874/china-has-gained-pace-space-race-recovering-rockets-can-it-relaunch-one Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:00:12 +0000 Zoe SL Chan Zoe SL Chan Hong Kong aims to adjust listing rules to grab a share of initial public offerings by mainland China’s space companies, in line with Beijing’s priorities and heightened activity in the sector following the blockbuster June listing by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. That could lead to more head-to-head competition between the Hong Kong stock exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which is now drawing a majority of applications, including commercial space launch providers and reusable rocket makers CAS... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3367810/hong-kong-support-rocket-satellite-ipos-spacex-led-sector-takes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3367810/hong-kong-support-rocket-satellite-ipos-spacex-led-sector-takes Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:00:07 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen Chinese rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully sent its Pallas-1 medium-to-large reusable rocket into orbit, marking the latest milestone in Beijing’s drive to develop reusable launch capabilities and narrow the gap with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The two-stage, liquid-propellant rocket lifted off at 10am on Tuesday from a self-built launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre’s commercial pilot zone in northwestern China’s Gansu province before entering its designated orbit, according to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3365964/pallas-1-sees-chinas-galactic-energy-join-reusable-launch-push-closing-spacex https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3365964/pallas-1-sees-chinas-galactic-energy-join-reusable-launch-push-closing-spacex Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:30:09 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen As China ramps up its efforts to build an orbital data ecosystem and counter the US in the commercial space race, Shanghai – home to several major domestic players – has kicked off an inaugural space-computing forum alongside a new industry hub. The dedicated centre in the city’s southwestern Songjiang district, unveiled at the forum on Sunday, brought together aerospace developers, semiconductor makers, artificial intelligence specialists, cloud vendors, as well as researchers and investors to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-war/article/3365839/china-us-space-race-heats-shanghai-unveils-space-computing-hub https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-war/article/3365839/china-us-space-race-heats-shanghai-unveils-space-computing-hub Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:30:13 +0000 Zhonghua Sheng Zhonghua Sheng On the morning of August 19, LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Area. After deploying its second stage and payload into orbit, the rocket’s first stage touched down softly at a recovery site in Gansu province using deployable landing legs. It was China’s first successful land-based recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster that had just completed an orbital mission – a feat previously achieved only by SpaceX. Just over a month earlier,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3365219/reusable-rocket-milestone-opens-door-hong-kongs-space-ambitions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3365219/reusable-rocket-milestone-opens-door-hong-kongs-space-ambitions Sun, 30 Aug 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Ben Jiang Ben Jiang Ten years ago, Dai Zheng made a career-defining gamble: he left his secure, prestigious engineering post in China’s state space programme to join an unproven private start-up. On August 19, that risk paid off when a rocket booster returned from orbit and landed upright for the first time in Chinese commercial space history. For Dai, now chief commander of the Zhuque-3 missions at LandSpace, the successful touchdown marked both a major personal milestone and a critical leap forward in China’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3365091/meet-dai-zheng-space-veteran-betting-chinas-reusable-rocket-revolution https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3365091/meet-dai-zheng-space-veteran-betting-chinas-reusable-rocket-revolution Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:30:09 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China is stepping up efforts to source local components for its passenger aircraft, particularly the C919 narrowbody airliner, with the focus expanding from home-grown engines to progressively replacing imported sealants, paints, bolts and other materials, according to a prominent aircraft engineer. The push means the C919, as well as future Chinese models and engines, could increasingly incorporate parts from domestic suppliers as Beijing seeks to lessen exposure to supply chain and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3364591/chinas-c919-supply-chain-inside-push-replace-western-aerospace-parts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3364591/chinas-c919-supply-chain-inside-push-replace-western-aerospace-parts Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma China-based LandSpace successfully launched a Zhuque-3 rocket and recovered its first stage, a breakthrough in the nation’s efforts to develop reusable boosters that can slash the cost of space launches. The first stage of the 66-metre (217-foot) rocket touched down in Minqin County, Gansu province, northwest China, on Wednesday after an eight-minute flight that delivered a Honghu-3 internet satellite into space. Take-off occurred 390 km (242 miles) away at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/science/article/3364562/china-joins-musks-spacex-reusable-rocket-breakthroughs https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/science/article/3364562/china-joins-musks-spacex-reusable-rocket-breakthroughs Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:11:24 +0000 Ling Xin,Victoria Bela Ling Xin,Victoria Bela In a global first, leading Chinese commercial rocket company LandSpace has recovered a stainless-steel booster after an orbital launch, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to develop lower-cost, reusable rockets. Previous reusable boosters deployed in such launches have been made from aluminium alloys, which can be more expensive to develop due to higher design and raw material costs. China is also the first country to succeed in orbital launch recovery down distinct technological... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3364492/chinas-landspace-beats-spacex-steel-booster-recovery-after-orbital-launch https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3364492/chinas-landspace-beats-spacex-steel-booster-recovery-after-orbital-launch Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:28:33 +0000 Robin Hu Robin Hu In 2022, Ukraine asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to activate Starlink coverage around Sevastopol to support an attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. He refused, saying SpaceX would become “explicitly complicit in a major act of war”; he later also cited US sanctions covering Crimea. At the moment that mattered, one private actor had the final say. It exposed a question hidden inside every chokepoint. We usually ask where dependence is concentrated: a strait, mineral, technology, network. But three... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363772/chokepoints-and-cost-cutting-access https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363772/chokepoints-and-cost-cutting-access Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:30:09 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo To offset an ageing agricultural workforce and boost sustainable yields, China is aggressively accelerating the adoption of farm drones – a trend that analysts say could spread to more emerging markets despite trade restrictions imposed by the United States. Industry leader DJI said its global sales of agricultural drones had exceeded 700,000 units across China and more than 100 other countries and regions by the end of last month – more than a fivefold increase in just five years. Use of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3362251/chinas-drone-farming-boom-eyes-emerging-markets-agriculture-automation-spreads https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3362251/chinas-drone-farming-boom-eyes-emerging-markets-agriculture-automation-spreads Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Minxiao Chang Minxiao Chang A groundbreaking cross-border insurance policy covering a piloted aircraft has cleared a key regulatory obstacle, allowing the Shenzhen vehicle to take to the sky in Hong Kong. Shenzhen-based aircraft developer Yivtol recently obtained a policy for an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, underwritten in its home city but issued in neighbouring Hong Kong. With a total liability of HK$20 million (US$2.6 million) covering the one-year period ending in June 2027, this marks the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3361344/landmark-insurance-policy-clears-shenzhens-flying-vehicle-hong-kong-lift https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3361344/landmark-insurance-policy-clears-shenzhens-flying-vehicle-hong-kong-lift Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:29:02 +0000 Ling Xin Ling Xin China’s successful recovery of a reusable rocket has sparked debate among aerospace experts over whether its unconventional approach could actually cut the cost of reaching space. On Friday, the country’s Long March-10B became the first orbital-class rocket outside the United States to return to Earth and be recovered intact. The rocket’s first-stage booster deployed four hooks as it descended and was then caught by a giant net on a ship waiting in the South China Sea. SpaceX and Blue Origin do... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3360553/china-used-giant-net-land-reusable-rocket-does-idea-have-legs https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3360553/china-used-giant-net-land-reusable-rocket-does-idea-have-legs Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s controlled seaborne recovery of a rocket booster using a net-capture vessel last week proved the viability and virtues of its state-led aerospace efforts, experts said, contrasting it with the market-focused approach adopted by America’s SpaceX. They also said Beijing was convinced that keeping the state, rather than a private company, at the helm of its space programme was a more secure, resilient and deliverable way to win a space race that had more than commercial interests at stake... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360394/one-giant-leap-state-how-chinas-aerospace-vision-differs-elon-musks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360394/one-giant-leap-state-how-chinas-aerospace-vision-differs-elon-musks Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:00:11 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi To challenge the global launch market dominance of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Beijing is adopting a coordinated, multi-company “wolf-pack” strategy fuelled by recent engineering breakthroughs in reusable rocketry. The milestones come as a wave of aerospace firms push to secure the capital needed to scale operations and capture global market share. According to exchange filings in Shanghai and Hong Kong, at least 15 commercial aerospace companies were now in the pipeline to go public. Among the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/companies/article/3360351/new-space-race-how-china-plans-break-spacexs-launch-monopoly-ipo-push https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/companies/article/3360351/new-space-race-how-china-plans-break-spacexs-launch-monopoly-ipo-push Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:30:11 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat After China became only the second nation after the US to achieve the controlled recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster, the spotlight has fallen on the domestic shipbuilder behind the design of the recovery platform. Following the maiden launch of China’s reusable Long March-10B rocket on Friday, the vehicle’s first-stage booster returned vertically and was caught by the Linghangzhe recovery platform, China’s first sea-based rocket recovery vessel to use a net-capture system. The platform... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360338/chinas-historic-sea-based-rocket-recovery-puts-spotlight-domestic-shipbuilder https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360338/chinas-historic-sea-based-rocket-recovery-puts-spotlight-domestic-shipbuilder Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:06 +0000 Tang Meng Kit Tang Meng Kit Last month, China Eastern ordered 25 A330neo jets from Airbus, which come at a catalogue price of US$9.35 billion. The airline, which operates the inaugural commercial routes of the C919, China’s home-grown passenger jet, had placed another Airbus order just three months earlier. Why is this major Chinese airline transferring billions to a European company China’s government is trying to supplant? As a widebody jet, the A330neo competes in a segment where the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3359345/eu-isnt-just-selling-aircraft-china-its-helping-strengthen-competitor https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3359345/eu-isnt-just-selling-aircraft-china-its-helping-strengthen-competitor Sun, 12 Jul 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Coco Feng,Minxiao Chang Coco Feng,Minxiao Chang Elon Musk’s recent record-breaking SpaceX IPO has thrust the space economy into the financial mainstream, but mainland China’s trillion-yuan commercial space sector remains strikingly underinsured – a gap industry insiders say presents a rare opportunity for Hong Kong. On the mainland, only third-party liability insurance is mandatory for commercial space activities. Coverage for research and development, manufacturing, testing, launches and in-orbit operations remained largely optional,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3358494/final-insurance-frontier-hong-kong-spots-opportunity-mainland-chinas-space-boom https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3358494/final-insurance-frontier-hong-kong-spots-opportunity-mainland-chinas-space-boom Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:00:10 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu China Eastern Airlines has ordered 25 A330neo widebody jets from Airbus, marking the planemaker’s first major long-haul order from a Chinese carrier since last year, as the nation continues to favour the European manufacturer. The list price of the 25 aircraft is about US$9.35 billion, but China Eastern said in a statement on Friday that it had obtained a “substantial price discount” from Airbus, making the actual cost significantly less than the catalogue price. The Shanghai-based carrier... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3358540/china-eastern-buys-25-a330neo-widebody-jets-domestic-interest-rises-airbus-wings https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3358540/china-eastern-buys-25-a330neo-widebody-jets-domestic-interest-rises-airbus-wings Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:56:33 +0000 Chow Chung-yan Chow Chung-yan Some may feel a lump in their throats as they watch Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, make history, but few see it as anything more than an inspirational story for our youth. In reality, space, which can feel lofty and far away to pragmatic Hongkongers, could hold the key to our city’s economic future. In my previous column, we discussed why Hong Kong represents China’s best chance to build an alternative global maritime insurance system, but also why that remains mission impossible for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3356657/can-hong-kong-make-giant-leap-commercial-space-insurance https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3356657/can-hong-kong-make-giant-leap-commercial-space-insurance Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:00:05 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Three years after its maiden commercial flight as China’s flagship civilian airliner, the C919 is entering a pivotal maintenance phase, with jets across the series being progressively grounded for rigorous inspections. The results of these safety-focused “C-checks” are expected to play a role in convincing European aviation regulators of the aircraft’s long-term airworthiness. State-owned carrier China Southern Airlines finished the first C-check of its C919 fleet at the end of May. The process... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3357164/chinas-first-c919s-get-critical-c-checks-european-regulators-watch https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3357164/chinas-first-c919s-get-critical-c-checks-european-regulators-watch Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:50 +0000 Coco Feng,Minxiao Chang Coco Feng,Minxiao Chang This is part of a series on the global impact of SpaceX’s historic IPO, tracing how mainland Chinese investors’ strategies, the Hong Kong market and wider capital flows are being reshaped by Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar rocket gamble. In 2016, a SpaceX rocket carrying a satellite blew up during a test, destroying on-board equipment and surrounding facilities worth millions of US dollars. Fortunately, the satellite operator, Israel’s Space Communications, had an insurance policy worth almost... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3356718/who-pays-when-rockets-explode-china-insures-spacexs-rivals-orbital-race-against-us https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3356718/who-pays-when-rockets-explode-china-insures-spacexs-rivals-orbital-race-against-us Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:30:07 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen A suspected bird strike on a Chinese-made C909 regional jet in Beijing has reportedly left some marks on its nose and airframe, but experts said the likelihood of any severe damage was very low. The incident underscores the real-world tests of reliability facing the model as it is more widely deployed at home and abroad, according to observers. Air China flight CA1150, arriving from Ordos in Inner Mongolia, struck a large bird as it approached Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356640/air-china-c909-hits-bird-chinese-jets-face-growing-real-world-tests https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356640/air-china-c909-hits-bird-chinese-jets-face-growing-real-world-tests Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:15 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen This is part of a series on the global impact of SpaceX’s historic IPO, tracing how mainland Chinese investors’ strategies, the Hong Kong market and wider capital flows are being reshaped by Elon Musk’s trillion‑dollar rocket gamble. Chinese investors are scrambling for back-door routes to trade on SpaceX’s highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), resorting to proxy stocks and supply chain speculation after being shut out of direct participation in what could be the largest listing in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3356580/shut-out-spacex-ipo-chinese-investors-get-creative-catch-ride https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3356580/shut-out-spacex-ipo-chinese-investors-get-creative-catch-ride Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s massive civil aviation fleet is ageing faster than planes are being replaced, threatening to saddle airlines with higher costs, but orders for home-grown C919 jets could help stem the tide, according to the head of north Asia for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Current aircraft replacements are failing to reach 2019 levels despite recent orders of Airbus and Boeing jets, IATA regional vice-president Xie Xingquan said at the industry group’s annual general meeting in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356365/chinas-c919-jet-poised-tackle-ageing-domestic-fleet-industry-official https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356365/chinas-c919-jet-poised-tackle-ageing-domestic-fleet-industry-official Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:00:07 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s home-grown airliners including the C909 and C919 series now have access to more repair and maintenance support for critical components such as engines and landing gear, as partnerships with service providers expand across the mainland and Hong Kong when jet deliveries and utilisation rise. With a wider network of support at home, these indigenous planes, assembled by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), stand a better chance of riding out global supply chain disruptions... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3355780/china-widens-repair-network-c919-c909-jets-outfly-supply-disruptions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3355780/china-widens-repair-network-c919-c909-jets-outfly-supply-disruptions Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:00:06 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Shares of Chinese aviation and aerospace parts supplier Shanghai Top Numerical Control Technology ended 80 per cent higher on its debut in Hong Kong on Wednesday, as investors continue to bet on the commercial aerospace sector. Top Numerical Control opened at HK$37 per share on its first day of trading, representing a 40.2 per cent premium to the offer price of HK$26.39. It reached as high as HK$48.40 in afternoon trade, before closing at HK$47.50. The Shanghai-based company issued 65.33 million... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3354227/chinas-top-numerical-control-rides-investor-fervour-aerospace-80-ipo-gain https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3354227/chinas-top-numerical-control-rides-investor-fervour-aerospace-80-ipo-gain Wed, 20 May 2026 08:34:29 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Airbus secured an order for 137 A320neo jets from Chinese airlines, extending the European company’s edge in one of aviation’s most contested markets as US rival Boeing waits on a long-speculated deal with Beijing. China Southern Airlines, one of China’s three major state-owned carriers, announced the deal on Wednesday. The airline, based in the southern city of Guangzhou, will purchase 102 aircraft, while its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines will acquire the remaining 35. The orders carry a combined... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3351900/china-southern-airlines-orders-airbus-jets-worth-us21b-boeing-deal-remains-rumour https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3351900/china-southern-airlines-orders-airbus-jets-worth-us21b-boeing-deal-remains-rumour Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:57:06 +0000 Tang Meng Kit Tang Meng Kit The signal is clear. In the first quarter of this year, just three C919 aircraft were delivered – two to China Southern Airlines and one to Air China. For a Chinese programme expected to deliver more than 30 of these home-grown narrowbody airliners this year, the gap between ambition and reality has opened up quickly. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) delivered 15 C919s last year, far short of the target of 75 set before supply disruptions forced a reset. Even the modest reported... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3350858/engine-dilemma-lies-heart-successful-take-chinas-c919 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3350858/engine-dilemma-lies-heart-successful-take-chinas-c919 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Deliveries of China’s home-grown C919 narrowbody airliner, billed to challenge mainstream models from Boeing and Airbus, appear to be delayed, with only three units shipped to Chinese carriers in the first quarter of 2026. Observers point to several factors holding back the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac). While some C919s are said to be stuck on the tarmac waiting for engines, analysts also say prioritising quality over speed is the right bet for the planemaker. Only three C919... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3349112/chinas-c919-sees-delivery-delays-2026-3-units-shipped-3-months https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3349112/chinas-c919-sees-delivery-delays-2026-3-units-shipped-3-months Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu China Eastern Airlines said on Wednesday it placed a multibillion-dollar order for 101 Airbus A320neo aircraft, marking another success for the French company after it raked in big orders from Chinese airlines in December and amid uncertainties related to a widely speculated potential deal between its rival Boeing and Beijing. While the list price of the deal would be US$15.8 billion, China Eastern said Airbus had granted it “a significant price discount” which was “more favourable than the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3347905/airbus-wins-chinese-airlines-101-plane-order-victory-over-boeing-key-market https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3347905/airbus-wins-chinese-airlines-101-plane-order-victory-over-boeing-key-market Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:00:43 +0000 Ling Xin Ling Xin Chinese researchers have proposed a semi-humanoid robot mounted on a wheeled platform as part of key infrastructure for the country’s lunar research station slated to take shape by 2035. Combining mobility with humanlike dexterity, the robot is designed to move across the lunar surface while carrying out delicate operations, from construction and maintenance to scientific experiments, sampling and analysis, according to researchers from the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering. Its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3346317/weird-looking-humanoid-robot-could-help-china-conquer-moon-scientists https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3346317/weird-looking-humanoid-robot-could-help-china-conquer-moon-scientists Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Beijing aims to accelerate the rise of China’s home-grown airliner fleet, including the C909 regional plane, C919 narrowbody and C929 widebody, through 2030. This push to challenge the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus comes as a national five-year plan calls for aircraft production, development and the roll-out of a domestically developed engine. The next five years will prove vital to the success of the three aircraft models and the continued localisation of critical parts such as engines,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3346236/chinas-five-year-jet-goals-target-c919-output-new-engine-and-reduced-reliance https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3346236/chinas-five-year-jet-goals-target-c919-output-new-engine-and-reduced-reliance Thu, 12 Mar 2026 02:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s leading planemaker is redoubling its efforts to boost the international profile of its home-grown jets in 2026, injecting a sizeable amount of capital into a subsidiary carrier as it attempts to widen its planes’ coverage area and attract more overseas buyers. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), manufacturer of the C909 regional airliner and the company’s flagship narrowbody C919, recently infused 634 million yuan (US$91.76 million) into C909 launch customer... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The global space industry has rapidly evolved from the days when nations raced to the heavens in a quest for glory. Now space is a venue for competition to forge the world’s technological future. Hong Kong must follow these developments with solid planning if it hopes to tap into the opportunities of China’s “NewSpace” ambitions. NewSpace is an emerging industry where private firms are involved with satellite manufacturing, launch services, space law, tourism and other ventures concentrated in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3342632/hong-kong-need-not-wait-help-chinese-space-ambitions-take https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3342632/hong-kong-need-not-wait-help-chinese-space-ambitions-take Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:15:15 +0000 Ralph Jennings,Frank Chen Ralph Jennings,Frank Chen The maker of China’s expanding family of civilian aircraft has announced new orders for a regional jet and secured a crucial “brain” for its ambitious C929 widebody jet, coinciding with the Singapore Airshow. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) said on Tuesday that it signed a letter of intent for cooperation with Aviage Systems for the C929’s core avionics processing system, according to a Yicai news report. Avionics refer to an aircraft’s electronic systems, including... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3342392/new-brainer-chinas-c929-widebody-lands-partner-power-next-gen-flight-mind https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3342392/new-brainer-chinas-c929-widebody-lands-partner-power-next-gen-flight-mind Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:16:39 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s civil aviation authority has floated a regulatory change that would allow its home-grown passenger jet, the C919, to use narrow runways typically found in smaller airports, a move that could help the plane expand its presence at home and break into the Southeast Asian market. The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced on Friday that it had set “special conditions” for the C919 to use narrow runways based on the jet’s design features, releasing a draft proposal for a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342252/china-plans-regulatory-change-help-c919-jet-compete-airbus-and-boeing https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342252/china-plans-regulatory-change-help-c919-jet-compete-airbus-and-boeing Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:01:30 +0000 Ken Chu Ken Chu China’s commercial space sector has entered a new frontier. In January, a private Chinese aerospace company unveiled the test capsule of what is set to become the country’s first commercially developed crewed spacecraft, with plans for crewed flights by 2028 and bookings already taken from private space tourists. The project reflects a decisive shift in national policy, where commercial players are no longer peripheral participants but integral contributors to major space missions. This... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3341977/china-opens-its-space-sector-hong-kong-should-reach-stars https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3341977/china-opens-its-space-sector-hong-kong-should-reach-stars Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee When the first cohort of elite foreign captains parachuted into Chinese airlines in the 2000s, their sky-high pay – sometimes reaching 1 million yuan a year – raised eyebrows among their Chinese counterparts. These hotshot aviators, with their international exposure and qualifications, enjoyed a stratospheric level of success in the burgeoning Chinese market. Facing a shortage of experienced pilots, Chinese carriers embraced them with open arms, granting generous benefits and speedy paths to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is revving up the design and testing phase of its widebody C929 airliner, marshalling its resources and mobilising its stakeholders to roll out the indigenous jet on schedule – or, potentially, ahead of earlier estimates. Specialists from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have proactively involved themselves in the C929’s development, the South China Morning Post has learned, with personnel from the national regulator assessing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342069/chinas-widebody-c929-could-arrive-early-revved-development-plan-sources https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342069/chinas-widebody-c929-could-arrive-early-revved-development-plan-sources Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Eunice Xu Eunice Xu Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen-3 became one of the world’s first general-purpose artificial intelligence models to be uploaded and operated in orbit, marking a milestone in China’s bid to lead the nascent space-based computing sector. Chinese aerospace start-up Adaspace Technology successfully deployed Qwen-3 to a space computing centre in orbit where it executed multiple inference tasks in November, according to company executive vice-president Wang Yabo, who spoke at a conference on Monday, as reported... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3341388/alibabas-qwen-3-becomes-worlds-first-ai-model-operate-orbit https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3341388/alibabas-qwen-3-becomes-worlds-first-ai-model-operate-orbit Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:00:25 +0000 Victoria Bela,Stephen Chen Victoria Bela,Stephen Chen Four Chinese groups are racing to build global satellite communications infrastructure to challenge the considerable head start made by US tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink. The two leaders for China so far are the central-government-backed GuoWang and Shanghai-backed Qianfan. They have the most satellites in orbit and plans to eventually deploy more than 10,000 apiece. Carmaker Geely’s Geespace also has satellites in space. The fourth group, Hongqing Technology, 48 per cent owned by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china-future-tech/aerospace/article/3340638/chinese-rivals-musks-starlink-wrestle-rocket-constraints https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china-future-tech/aerospace/article/3340638/chinese-rivals-musks-starlink-wrestle-rocket-constraints Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:45:12 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong One of China’s latest Earth observation satellites operating in low orbit could feature an optical aperture at a two-metre scale with “global leading” remote sensing capabilities, according to a China Science Daily report on Thursday last week. The report refers to the Yaogan-47 satellite, which was launched aboard a Long March 4B carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on December 9. For comparison, the Hubble Space Telescope and likely the US KH-11 spy satellite have main... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3340036/could-chinas-yaogan-47-satellite-have-lens-wide-hubble-telescope https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3340036/could-chinas-yaogan-47-satellite-have-lens-wide-hubble-telescope Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen European aviation evaluators have begun test flights of China’s home-grown C919 airliner in Shanghai, the Post has learned, as the manufacturer of the narrowbody jet presses ahead with its bid to secure Western safety certification – a crucial step in the journey to global adoption and being able to compete with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus. Two test pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have conducted verification flights, according to a source with knowledge of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3339945/chinas-c919-airliner-put-through-paces-test-pilots-european-aviation-regulator https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3339945/chinas-c919-airliner-put-through-paces-test-pilots-european-aviation-regulator Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China has appointed its first female pilot to exclusively captain flights on its home-grown C919 jet, with more aspiring women waiting in the wings as the nation expands its talent pool and systemically transitions elite pilots who used to fly Boeing and Airbus jets to operate the narrowbody airliner. Yu Yue, who made a high-stakes switch from her decade-long career flying the US-made Boeing 737 to be a C919 captain this year, has become a source of inspiration for many in the country. According... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337431/soaring-top-china-appoints-first-female-captain-flights-home-grown-c919 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337431/soaring-top-china-appoints-first-female-captain-flights-home-grown-c919 Sat, 27 Dec 2025 06:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s state-owned planemaker intends to supersize its flagship jet through a partnership with a major domestic carrier to meet rising market demand for bigger narrowbody types, according to sources. The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines last week to deepen cooperation, including on a stretched variant of the single-aisle C919 that would be able to seat at least 200 passengers, the Post has learned. The deal positions China Eastern, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337728/chinas-c919-maker-teams-china-eastern-bigger-variant-cards-sources https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337728/chinas-c919-maker-teams-china-eastern-bigger-variant-cards-sources Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:00:08 +0000 Ji Siqi,Kandy Wong Ji Siqi,Kandy Wong Though it did not come as a surprise, the US’ formal ban on the sale of new drones produced by China marks a “milestone” in the two countries’ strategic competition and technological decoupling, analysts said, with their rivalry continuing across numerous fields despite the temporary trade truce agreed between their leaders in October. Washington’s telecommunications regulator said on Monday that it is adding all foreign producers of drones and critical components – including those made by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3337500/bad-policy-chinas-drone-makers-shrug-us-ban-analysts-say https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3337500/bad-policy-chinas-drone-makers-shrug-us-ban-analysts-say Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:00:08 +0000