The AG600, a large amphibious aircraft developed by China, has passed the official technical quality assessment for its maiden flight, the developer said.

Designed to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, the 37-meter-long AG600 has a wingspan of 38.8 meters and a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tons.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) held a technical evaluation meeting in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. The meeting was attended by experts and Ministry of Industry and Information Technologyofficials.

The amphibious aircraft can be used for maritime rescue, fighting forest fires, marine environmental monitoring and protection. It can collect 12 tons of water in 20 seconds and transport up to 370 tons of water on a single tank of fuel.

Experts agreed that the plane is ready for flight. AVIC said earlier this year that it has already received orders for 17 AG600s.