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Aerospace: Industry Trends

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Aerospace: Industry Trends
Track China’s ambitious aerospace advancements, from the home-grown commercial aircraft to space exploration, and their global impact.
last updated:
12 December, 2024
China’s homegrown C919 jetliner receives a water salute as it arrives in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in August. Photo: Getty Images
China airliners

China’s C919 jet faces key test as it spreads its wings to 10 major cities

The Chinese passenger aircraft is now flying to 10 major cities as it seeks to convince Western regulators of its reliability.

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China manufacturing

With more than 10,000 ‘little giants’, China beats 2025 goal amid US tech war

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China technology

Chinese drone prepped for mass production as demand for aerial deliveries soars

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China technology

China’s next-gen BeiDou satellite system to ramp up rivalry with US-based GPS

Existing BeiDou system, used in telecommunications, transport, and natural resource management, has also been expanding its use in developing countries.

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A model of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is displayed at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. Photo: AP
Low-altitude economy

Why is demand for drone pilots soaring in China?

Training programmes becoming increasingly popular as more job opportunities open up for UAV operators.

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China airliners

China’s C919 order backlog raises urgency for foreign-part acquisitions

Officials hope to eventually source hi-tech plane components domestically to drive industrial self-sufficiency, but for now overseas producers are essential.

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China airliners

With China’s C919 flying high, factory visits aim to replicate Boeing’s success

Taking a page out of rivals’ playbooks, China’s Comac wants to turn its Shanghai plane factory into a tourism hotspot.

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China’s Comac, the maker of its home-grown jets such as the C919, intends to expand tours of its factory in Shanghai. Photo: AP
China airliners

US, European plane-part giants aspire to power China’s widebody C929 ambitions

China is on a path toward self-sufficiency, but advanced plane parts from overseas remain essential to its aviation dreams.

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China airliners

Explainer | China’s 4 commercial jets unboxed: from the rebranded C909 to a futuristic C939

More details about China’s home-grown passenger planes emerge at Zhuhai air show, with new sales and lofty aviation ambitions on display.

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China airliners

China’s widebody C929 jet lands first buyer at top-flight Zhuhai air show

The home-grown C929, still under development, was the subject of a preliminary purchase agreement at China’s premier air show.

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China’s Comac brought several of its planes to the Zhuhai air show, including the renamed C909. Photo: Frank Chen
Low-altitude economy

China’s low-altitude economy is all the buzz, so where are the tangible results?

National-level plans are in the works and will likely offer guidance to local governments eager to capitalise on the low-altitude sector, from drones to eVTOL aircraft.

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The Fengqiao Town Central Health Center in Nanhu District, Jiaxing City, uses drones to deliver medicines to the villages under its jurisdiction. Photo: Xinhua
US-China tech war

Musk’s SpaceX asks Taiwanese suppliers to move production abroad

The US company has requested multiple satellite component manufacturers to produce outside Taiwan, sources say.

Aerospace: Companies

Chinese aerospace firm offers space tourists US$210,000 rocket rides from 2027

Deep Blue Aerospace sells 2 tickets for a trip it says features at least 5 minutes of weightlessness in outer space.

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China's economic recovery

Why are international airlines cutting flights to China?

Fewer flights to China by Western airlines seen as a reflection of reduced demand for business travel amid economic slowdown.

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Virgin Atlantic is said to be planning to suspend its 25-year-old Shanghai-London Heathrow route from next Saturday. Photo: Reuters
China’s C919 passenger plane

Mentor or rival? China takes notes from Brazilian giant Embraer as C919 soars

Aviation exchanges are expected as President Xi Jinping visits Brazil next month.

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The first C919 owned by China Southern Airlines arrives at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Xinhua
Science

‘Fierce international competition’ has China upgrading major radio telescope

An array of 24 radio telescopes will be built around China’s FAST to help boost the massive telescope’s resolution.

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Science

Last BeiDou-3 satellites sent into orbit to test tech for next-gen system

Satellite pair launched on Thursday will allow for system to keep operating while older satellites are maintained and managed.

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China’s C919 passenger plane

China’s home-grown C919 reaches new heights with flight to ‘roof of the world’

C919 ‘smoothly landed’ at one of the highest airports in the world in western China on Thursday ahead of a series of ‘research and development test flights’.

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China’s first home-grown narrowbody civilian aircraft flew to the capital of the Tibet autonomous region for the first time on Thursday. Photo: CCTV
China-Philippines relations

China-Philippine flights to get wings clipped amid low demand, geopolitics

An expected reduction in routes between China and the Philippines comes as post-pandemic demand has not taken off, while their maritime dispute has also chilled travel.

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Low-altitude economy

China’s low-altitude economy adds ‘new track’ with home-grown blimp delivery

China’s first home-grown ‘civil manned airship’ blimp has been delivered to a client in the southern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

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United States

Historic SpaceX private astronaut mission splashes down off Florida

The team had managed to hit a peak altitude of 1400km, the furthest humans have travelled from Earth since the Apollo missions to the Moon.

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Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman reacts upon his return to Earth from space on Sunday. Photo: SpaceX via AP
Science

China’s Shenlong space plane ends third flight, shows ‘maturing’ performance

Reusable spacecraft lands in Gobi Desert months after US detects unknown object ejected from the plane and sent into same orbit.

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China’s Shenlong space plane has landed after 268 days in space, Xinhua says. The latest launch was used to verify reusable technology and conduct space science experiments. Illustration: Sina
China’s C919 passenger plane

Is China’s first home-grown passenger jet profitable? Analysts weigh in

China Eastern Airlines, Air China and China Southern Airlines have all taken delivery of the home-grown C919 narrowbody passenger jet.

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US-China relations

Eyeing China, US plans to deploy satellites to track targets by 2030s

Senior Space Force official describes Beijing and Moscow as ‘pacing challenges’ that can ‘target and destroy space systems’ in all orbits.

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China's economic recovery

Explainer | What’s the buzz around China’s low-altitude economy?

From drone deliveries and surveillance to flying cars and tourism, technology for manned and unmanned aviation applications is being rapidly embraced across China.

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Several regions, including Beijing, Anhui and Suzhou, are prioritising the development of low-altitude flight scenarios to drive growth in the low-altitude economy. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
China's economic recovery

China’s low-altitude economy spreads wings as struggling locales look skyward

The economic model has been elevated to new heights nationwide as struggling regional governments vie for a piece of the pie in the sky.

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A light-sport aircraft is readied in China’s Shandong province last month. Photo: Xinhua
Science

China’s initial launch for internet satellite network creates space debris

After delivering the first 18 satellites for the Qianfan Constellation project, the upper stage of the Long March 6A rocket broke apart, the US Space Command reports.

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China's economic recovery

Shanghai seeks AI, humanoid robotics, low-altitude economy upgrade by 2027

Shanghai will look to attract AI companies, build a humanoid robot manufacturing innovation centre and test low-altitude industrial logistics by 2027.

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