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Aerospace: Geopolitics

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Aerospace: Geopolitics
Track China’s ambitious aerospace advancements, from the home-grown commercial aircraft to space exploration, and their global impact.
Two crew members walk past business jets in Shanghai. Photo: AFP
Private jets

Why are rich Chinese moving private jets offshore, slumming it in budget seats?

Strict flight rules and economic headwinds are forcing scrutiny-wary tycoons to rebase aircraft in places such as Singapore or downgrade to commercial cabins.

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US-China trade war

‘Bad policy’: China’s drone makers to shrug off US ban, analysts say

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China airliners

Maker of China’s C919 receives capital injection amid supply chain challenges

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US-China relations

From reusable rockets to deep-sea dives: how China closes tech gap on the West

China sees outer space and the polar regions as ‘strategic new frontiers’ vital to its future security – and is investing accordingly.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China manufacturing

Engine shortages crimp China’s C919 deliveries amid global aerospace bottleneck

State-owned planemaker deploys teams to CFM – a joint venture between GE and Safran that makes the C919’s Leap-1C engine – as suppliers race to meet demand.

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Science

China joins space factory race with breakthrough in inflatable module technology

Those who master ‘manufacture in space will gain the initiative in future space economic development’, according to Institute of Mechanics.

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Space

Japan to put hypersonic missile-tracking technology to the test in space

Japanese cargo spacecraft HTV-X is on a resupply mission at the ISS, and it will later be used to monitor an HGV with infrared sensors.

An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the ISS lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Minamitane, Japan on Sunday. Photo: Kyodo
China airliners

In an international win for China’s C919, Brunei accepts Chinese aviation rules

Recognition of aviation standards, essential for entry into global markets, could pave the way for China’s jets in Southeast Asia.

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China technology

China expands frontiers in space, deep sea, poles amid fierce geopolitical race

From deep in the Arctic Ocean to outer space and cyberspace, Beijing’s focus on technological advancements is reshaping the global strategic balance.

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US-China trade war

‘Aggressive’: how China’s airlines may become latest front in Trump’s trade war

As Washington mulls barring Chinese carriers from Russian skies, analysts warn of potential flight disruptions and higher fares.

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A Boeing 737 Max jet plane of Air China is parked at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, in July 2019. Photo: ImagineChina
China’s C919 passenger plane

With China’s C919 jet facing order delays, is Boeing waiting in the wings?

C919 engine supply issues, mutual desire for trade breakthrough may lead Chinese airlines to buy planes from US giant, analysts said.

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Delivery delays for China’s C919 passenger jet could benefit US aerospace giant Boeing and its competing aircraft, the 737 Max. Photo: AFP
Science

China’s satellite spies on US spycraft in a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off

Pictures mark first time Chinese operator has made public such dynamic space-based imagery in move analysts call strategic tit-for-tat.

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China airliners

AirAsia eyes deal for C919 passenger jet, in bid to tap China-Asean market

If the deal is struck, it would mark the first overseas order for the Chinese passenger jet.

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China airliners

China’s aircraft maker Comac wins one of its biggest overseas orders for C909 jets

The landmark agreement could see Air Cambodia buy up to 20 of the jets, highlighting Comac’s growing presence in the region.

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A Comac C909 regional jet flies in the sky at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, on November 12, 2024. Photo: Reuters
China trade

China, Pakistan pledge stronger tech and trade cooperation amid US charm offensive

Agriculture, space and trade top the agenda during Pakistani prime minister’s visit to Beijing.

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Premier Li Qiang meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
China airliners

China starts aviation training for Southeast Asia amid C919, home-grown jet push

China’s top civil aviation manufacturer wants to break Airbus and Boeing’s grip on global industry – and Asean is its biggest overseas market.

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Aerospace: Policy

China races to roll out low-orbit satellite internet to rival Musk’s Starlink

China is preparing to commercialise its satellite internet networks as it strives to develop equivalents to the SpaceX system.

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China technology

Opinion | For China and the Middle East, a Space Silk Road is written in the stars

Traditionally reliant on the US, Arab countries are turning to Beijing as relations with Washington sour over the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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A Long March-2C rocket carrying a MisrSat-2 blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China on December 4, 2023, in a joint China-Egyptian effort. Photo: EPA-EFE/Xinhua
Science

US Earth imaging satellite fleet is creating ‘low-cost orbital landmines’: China

Chinese Academy of Sciences software scientists say Planet Labs’ Dove constellation risks uncontrolled re-entry and potential collisions.

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Science

Chinese scientists break design ‘curse’ that killed US Navy’s drone programme

Research team says a revolutionary software design could provide ‘critical technical support’ for next-generation warplanes.

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China-EU relations

Airbus signs fresh deal with Chinese partner amid talk of massive China order

Airbus will localise more production of its A321 jet in China as part of the agreement, which comes just ahead of a key China-EU summit.

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An Airbus A321 is assembled at the company’s facility in north China’s Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua
Science

China’s Tianlong-3 rocket passes critical test a year after explosive mishap

Space Pioneer unveils plan to allow ordinary people to ‘take a rocket like they take a plane, making global one-hour travel possible’.

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Beijing-based startup Space Pioneer says it has completed a major structural stress test following more than 100 technical upgrades to its redesigned vehicle after Tianlong-3 rocket crashed in June last year. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Trump wants to ground China’s drones – but have they flown too high to reach?

An executive order to limit China’s market penetration and boost the US’ capacity in drones might be too little, too late.

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Comac

Decoding the future of China’s C919 jet in a shifting aviation landscape

In the latest China Future Tech webinar, experts discuss questions surrounding home-grown Chinese passenger jet.

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China airliners

As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace

In a sky divided by conflict, some companies face longer, costlier routes – giving Chinese firms a competitive edge, analysts say.

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The C919 Flight MU721 takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in east China’s Shanghai on January 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Mengzhou spacecraft for China’s moon-landing mission passes landmark test flight

In safety test, safety capsule touched down with airbag cushioning to ensure astronauts survive during rocket failures at lift-off.

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An image from June 17 escape flight test shows China’s new-generation manned spacecraft Mengzhou. China said the successful test was an important step forward in its manned lunar exploration programme. Photo: Xinhua
Science

China’s landmark orbital refuelling mission: why US spy satellites hover nearby

Shijian-25 is expected to use its robotic arms to latch onto Shijian-21 and replenish its fuel.

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China’s C919 passenger plane

China steps up global aviation expansion as Comac bids for Laos carrier

Laos’ flag carrier would reportedly agree to use Comac jets as part of the deal, as the Chinese aviation firm continues its push into Southeast Asia.

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