SHANGHAI, May 15 -- The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China on Thursday announced that the first major part of its C919 plane, the country's first homemade large passenger aircraft, has rolled off the production line.

The part is the forebody, a tubular unit with more than 1,600 parts, front cabin, front hold and recirculating fan, according to the corporation.

The part has been made with third generation aluminum lithium alloy, which will improve the jet's performance and reduce structural weight.

Final assembly of the C919 is expected to be in the second half of the year.