BEIJING, Dec. 25  -- China's airlines are encouraged to use Chinese aircraft, including the regional jet model ARJ21, an official with China's civil aviation authority said Thursday.

The country should accelerate the development of routes in central and western areas and regional aviation, Zhou Laizhen, deputy director of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said at a conference.

The CAAC will help airlines in developing regional routes and encourage them to use domestically manufactured jets, Zhou said.

The ARJ21, short for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century, is a regional liner model designed and manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). At present, the jet has gained 278 orders.

The CAAC will also seek to export aircraft and strive to ensure their safe operation, Zhou said.