Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) launched its first overseas company COMAC America Corporation on Saturday at Newport Beach, California.

It's a milestone for the Shanghai-based Chinese aircraft maker's move to go global. At the ceremony, COMAC Chairman, Jin Zhuanglong said, before setting up its US operation, COMAC has already formed cooperation with 16 global suppliers, including GE, UTC and Honeywell.

According to Jin, COMAC has been working with Boeing in areas such as emission studies in China, and has sent its employees to be trained in US universities. The company's overall goal, he saud, was to be an active part of the global aviation innovation force.

"The launch today is an important step in realizing COMAC's goal of becoming a top-level world-class civil aviation company," he said.

As the first wholly-owned overseas subsidiary of COMAC, the US operation is launched with a clear operation principle of "global management, local talent". In North America, the company will recruit aerospace specialists to provide services in engineering technology and management consultancy in the civil aviation industry.

Other COMAC America functions will include business development in airworthiness certification, supplier management, marketing, customer training and staff training.

COMAC launched its US operation prior to delivery of its two regional jets - the C919 and ARJ21. Jin said that COMAC is currently conducting air tests on the ARJ21 (Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century) and will deliver the first ARJ21 next year. The C919 jet is in the process of engineering development and scheduled for a first flight and delivery in 2015.

Jin recognized huge potential in the civil aviation industry of China and the US. "Since a solid foundation has been laid in the civil aviation industry between China and the United States, a more prosperous future lies ahead for both of us. We hope our two governments will make concerted efforts in creating a harmonious and mutually beneficial environment for business cooperation and further enhance communications and exchange in the industry," he said.

Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Liu Jian said at the ceremony that the first free economic zone in Shanghai and the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of CPC certainly show China's dedication to deep reform. "It will provide more space for China and Us cooperation," Liu said.

Jeff Malin, senior business development specialist at California Governor's Office expressed appreciation for COMAC's $50 million investment in California and the jobs that would follow.

wangjun@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 11/25/2013 page1)