Tianjin University has successfully finished the numerical simulation and optimal design of the air distribution system for the C919, making the air in the cabin 20 percent fresher than regular commercial airliners. (Chinanews/Tong Yu)

The C919, a large passenger aircraft, is totally developed independently by China, according to one of the plane’s designers responding to questions that the plane cannot be regarded as homegrown.

According to Chen Yingchun, the standing deputy chief designer of C919 from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), independent innovation on the plane across five aspects of its general planning show that it was achieved by China independently: the aerodynamic configuration was designed and tested by China independently; China independently designed, calculated, tested and produced the body of the plane; China independently completed system integration; China managed the programme in a unique way. 

A news report by the Daily Mail claims that although the C919 is made in China, foreign firms are playing key roles by supplying systems as well as the engines, which are made by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric (GE) of the US and France's Safran. Some questioned that the plane is not fully "made in China" but "assembled in China".

To judge whether a plane is independently developed or assembled, one establish who owns the complete plane, who is the core R&D team and who controls the key development processes of the plane.

According to COMAC chairman Jin Zhuanglong, COMAC owns property rights of the C919, COMAC is the core R&D team of the plane and COMAC controls key processes of the plane including design, final assembly, test flight and sales.

As for many of the plane’s systems being provided by foreign companies, Jin mentioned that it is common to do so in the global aviation manufacturing industry and that aviation manufacturing giants including Boeing and Airbus use foreign products on some key components. The two companies applied Japanese carbon-fiber composites on their planes.

"As for the project design of the C919, we did not give a penny to foreigners," said Chen.