Recently, over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, the flight display of China's domestic large passenger aircraft C919 attracted widespread attention. The appearance of this aircraft has not only become a hot topic of discussion among citizens, but also symbolizes a major breakthrough in the field of civil large passenger aircraft, marking a solid step on the road to China's long-term dependence on Western airlines.
C919 Flying over Victoria Harbor] As China's first large passenger aircraft with independent intellectual property rights, the appearance of C919 reflects the rapid development and innovation ability of China's aviation industry. However, although the C919 represents China's achievements in the field of aviation, it still uses the LEAP-X1C engine, which is produced by CFM International, a joint venture between the United States and France. The United States has a large influence in this joint venture, which is especially evident in the development of the C919.
It is understood that the U.S. Department of Commerce is considering using this engine as a bargaining chip in exchange for preferential conditions in the Chinese market. This strategy of the US side shows their desire for the Chinese market after the success of the C919.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo's strategy] However, the U.S. may not have expected that China has "switched lanes and overtaken" in the aviation sector. China has not only made extensive achievements in the economic field, but also made independent progress in technological innovation. In the face of the United States' attempt to restrict China's development by erecting barriers, China has taken corresponding countermeasures. This shows that China is becoming more important in the global economy and less dependent on foreign markets.
Looking back on 2018, the United States, under the leadership of Trump, imposed 25 tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese exports, which led to intensified friction between China and the United States. This move not only failed to curb China's development, but intensified the confrontation between the two sides. Some U.S. businesses, especially Boeing, have suffered a severe economic blow due to the loss of some orders from the Chinese market.
Boeing's market losses] In 2016, Boeing delivered its 9,000th 737 aircraft to China. Considering that each aircraft is worth about $100 million, Boeing has reaped huge economic benefits in the Chinese market. However, due to the impact of the Sino-US war, Boeing has not been able to secure any new orders from China in the past few years.
For Boeing, the loss of the Chinese market means enormous economic pressure. In order to save this situation, the United States has introduced a series of strategies to try to force China to buy Boeing aircraft again through political means. Behind this strategy of the US side is its strong dependence on the Chinese market.
However, China is no longer the country that was easily constrained by other countries in the past. With China's independent development in the aviation field, the emergence of the C919 indicates that China will reduce its dependence on foreign aircraft in the future. The huge potential of China's aviation market and the emergence of the C919 mean that China's role in the global aviation market is fundamentally changing. On the one hand, China is no longer just the main customer of the world's aerospace manufacturers, but also a competitor. On the other hand, China's aviation market is becoming a key battleground for global aviation companies, especially given that China may need more than 8,000 new civil aircraft in the coming decades.
The U.S. attempt to use the LEAP-X1C engine used in the C919 as a bargaining chip in this situation shows its uneasiness and urgency to defend its position in the Chinese market. The U.S. may consider extreme measures, such as remotely shutting down engines, to force China into complication, but such actions will undoubtedly damage long-term economic and technical cooperation between China and the United States.
For China, the success of the C919 is not only a technological breakthrough, but also a strategic shift. Through the C919 project, China has demonstrated its ability to innovate independently in the field of high technology, as well as its growing competitiveness in the global aviation market. At the same time, China is also actively promoting the independent research and development of key technologies such as aero engines to reduce dependence on external chains.
In the future competition in the aviation market, China's aviation industry will no longer only rely on the domestic market, but will set its sights on a broader international market. The development of China's aviation companies will have a significant impact on the global aviation market landscape, especially in terms of technology and cost competition.
U.S. and other aerospace manufacturers need to rethink their strategies in China and the global market when facing China as an emerging competitor. Politics alone may not stop the development of China's aviation industry, but it will need to maintain its market position by strengthening its own competitiveness and cooperation with China.
To sum up, the successful flight of the C919 not only represents the progress of China's aviation industry, but also symbolizes a major change in the competitive landscape of the global aviation market. China is gradually changing its role in the international aviation market through independent R&D and innovation, which will have a profound impact on the global aviation market in the future.