The website of the Australian Institute of International Policy, Australia, published an article entitled by a passenger plane entitled with Chinese characteristics on January 12. The author of the article is Kazimir Lin.
At the end of May 2023, China's first domestic jet -type trunk passenger aircraft, C919, manufactured by COMAC, successfully completed its first commercial flight.During the careful planning and symbolic C919 commercial navigation activities, China Oriental Airlines flight MU9191 took off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and landed at Beijing Capital International Airport.
This passenger plane is regarded as China ’s response to the American Boeing 737 and the European Airbus A320 series aircraft, which aims to meet China's domestic market and potential Asian market needs.
At the same time, this passenger plane is also regarded as the latest means for China to promote foreign policies.In this regard, the C919 is very similar to the DClas DC-3 passenger plane.DC-3, produced by the U.S. Douglas Aircraft Corporation, has completely changed the aviation diplomacy of US President Franklin Roosevelt.
DC-3 had a huge impact on international aviation politics at that time.DC-3's derivative model is famous for its livelihoods during World War II. DC-3 is also one of the first commercial aircraft for passenger transport.Roosevelt actively realized that it is an important tool to promote US foreign relations.During overseas travel, he proudly showed American aviation technology and used it as a symbol of American creativity and reputation.
China's C919 new passenger plane has similar potential for the country's foreign policy.It has symbolic significance for China's politics involving large countries in the field of international aviation, and its goal will include to strengthen foreign relations with C919 and enhance Beijing's global influence.
At present, the main use of C919 is domestic airlines, and its main purpose is to fly domestic routes.If Beijing wants to use C919 as a symbol of technological success and international reputation, more airlines outside China must operate C919.And if China pays attention to two potential users in the next ten years of diplomatic efforts, then C919 can get its due position.
One of the potential users is those partners who have close relations with China.Such as Russia and North Korea.
Another type of potential users is an emerging country on the international stage.Indonesia ’s La Ya Airlines has introduced ARJ21, a smaller branch passenger aircraft in China, and other Indonesian airlines may also be persuaded to buy Chinese aviation technology products.Kenya and Ethiopia have accepted China's railway infrastructure, and they may also be willing to introduce Chinese aviation technology products.
China must use C919 as a way to gain the trust of leaders and airlines in other countries.Beijing will need to respond to the concerns of relevant parties on security, reliability and performance, and ensure that its passenger planes are more competitive than aircraft made in the West.There is no doubt that in the next ten years, the field of aviation in Asia will become another arena in superpowers.(Compiled/Shen Jian)
On October 27, 2023, in Nanchang, Jiangxi, the C919 passenger aircraft was displayed.(Xinhua News Agency)
