A Y-20 aircraft affiliated with a regiment attached to the PLA Central Theater Command Air Force releases flares during a training exercise. Photo: Zhang Meng

 
The success of domestically developed Y-20 large transport aircraft is based on self-reliance and innovation and the development of large aircraft reflects a country’s comprehensive capability, said national political advisor Tang Changhong during the ongoing two sessions. 

Tang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the chief designer of the aircraft at the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, made the remarks when answering a question on China’s large aircraft development at a press conference on Saturday.

2023 marks the 10th anniversary on the Y-20’s maiden flight, and from its scientific research test flights to its commissioning, the large transport aircraft has achieved a number of records and has proven itself in a series of tests including several special missions, said Tang.

The Y-20 has flown across China, and its contrails have also reached Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania in anti-pandemic, disaster relief and international humanitarian aid missions, attracting attentions from the international community, boosted morale of Chinese nationals and demonstrated Chinese strength, Tang said.

Last year, the C919 large airliner successfully wrapped up all test flight missions and started airway verification flight, putting an end to the history that only foreign trunk airliners operated in the Chinese sky. At the Airshow China 2022, the AG600 large amphibious emergency rescue aircraft and the aerial tanker variant of the Y-20 also made flight performances, and China’s family of large aircraft is getting bigger, said the political advisor.

The development of large aircraft reflects a country’s comprehensive capability, and when foreigners once asked Tang how China achieved the miracle of taking only five years to conduct the Y-20’s first flight and only eight years to deliver for service, Tang replied, “The key is self-reliance and innovation.”

With the spirit of integration, innovation and dedication, China made many technological breakthroughs including digitalized design, digitalized manufacturing, simulations and coordinated network management, which also reflected technological advancements through time and high-quality development, Tang said.

“We are on the long conquest toward a high level of technological development. In developing pillars of great power, we shall never stop our steps to explore and innovate. The aviation industry has not disappointed in serving the country. We must and will make new and bigger contributions to the country’s prosperity and the nation’s rejuvenation,” the chief designer said.