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| Chinese President Hu Jintao meets delegates to the National People's Congress, China's legislature, currently in session in Beijing Photo: Xinhua |
China plans to develop its own large commercial aircraft by 2020 if all goes according to plan.
"We are fairly well positioned for making large aircraft, with sound support from growing national economic strength, technological development and experience in manufacturing," said Liu Daxiang, deputy head of the Department of Science and Technology Development.
The preparation work is going well, Liu, a deputy to the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing said.
The regional jet ARJ-21 project, which was launched in 2005, has helped Chinese experts and technicians prepare themselves for large aircraft development, said Liu, an academic of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
The regional jet under development is expected to come into service in 2008.
However, Liu did not rule out international cooperation in the jumbo project, saying some aircraft and engine parts may be provided by other countries, though China will be its sole intellectual property rights holder.
Liu said the state should work out rules on the development of large civil aircraft "as soon as possible" to ensure the project progresses smoothly.
"A home-made large aircraft may inspire the nation like the manned spacecraft program," said Liu. "The project will also accelerate the technology advance in China's aviation industry and promote the development of secondary sectors."
China began to develop a jumbo aircraft in 1970, only two years after Airbus went into production, but the project was later shelved despite a promising start.
China is forecast to become the second-largest civil aviation market after the US by 2030, with air travel soaring by more than 95 percent in the past five years. It is forecast that China will need 1,600 new airliners by 2020, which will be worth at least US$150 billion, said Liu.
China's Employment Challenge in 2007
China is facing a tough employment challenge this year, given the emergence of more laid-off workers and new job-seekers, said Tian Chengping, Minister of Labor and Social Security, on Tuesday.
Enterprises that are undergoing reforms, will lay off more workers, who have difficulties to find new jobs, Tian said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).
Moreover, about 4.95 million students will graduate from universities to enter the job market this year and rural surplus labourers will continue to swarm into cities for work, Tian said.
As steps to alleviate the employment strain, the government will further boost economic development to create more jobs and carry out relevant fiscal, tax and financial policies to promote employment, he said.
The government will also strengthen training for all kinds of job seekers and help bridge contacts between job hunters and employers, he added.
Last year, more than 11.8 million urban residents got new jobs, hitting a record high, driven by a 10.7% GDP (gross domestic product) rise.
"We will try to help at least 9 million urbanites to find jobs this year," Tian said, adding Chinese cities will have 24 million new job seekers this year.
"To be more optimistic, we will strive to get 12 million urban people to find jobs, if calculating job positions left by new retirees," he said.
