A joint project between China and Russia to build a C929 superjet is currently progressing smoothly through research and development, according to Jin Zhuanglong, chairman of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

The fuel-efficient plane will reportedly compete with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Though not the biggest passenger jet in terms of size, both the C929 and the Dreamliner are capable of a wide range of use, and both are relatively economical, according to data.

China’s civilian aircraft industry is pressing ahead as planned, allowing a next-generation jet to benefit from earlier research and manufacturing know-how. The new aircraft will also obtain an airworthiness certificate from its predecessor, industry insiders pointed out.

In June 2016, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and COMAC signed a memorandum of understanding on the manufacturing of a wide-body long-range aircraft. According to the agreement, UAC will supply its most advanced avionics technology and a cutting-edge composite wing. China will handle the C929 fuselage construction, with Shanghai-based COMAC set to assemble the jets.

UPDATE:

On May 22, the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation Ltd. (CRCAIC) was established in Shanghai, a joint venture between Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The joint venture will be principally engaged in the development of the next generation of long-distance wide-body aircraft.

The two sides have confirmed a series of development programs for the long distance wide-body aircraft, completed the preliminary definition of level indicators for the aircraft, and defined the range (12,000 km) and number of seats (280). The project is now in its initial design stage, and system and equipment suppliers will be inquired.