Market for China's homegrown C919 jetliner expands as optimization continues

China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, the C919, is undergoing new improvements and upgrades as it continues to expand its presence in China's commercial aviation sector.

The C919 added its fourth regular commercial route last month, with a new flight commencing on June 14 connecting the megacities of Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Flying this route, one of the busiest in the country, means more flyers are experiencing the latest in Chinese aviation.

"I have seen it [C919] before on the television, but had never experienced it. So I chose this flight today to see what our country's self-developed jetliner is like," said a passenger surnamed Chen.

The C919's steady progress is a testament to China's concerted efforts to boost its aviation and aerospace industry. Chinese President Xi Jinping has placed great importance on the aircraft's development, making key instructions on several occasions and stepping into a prototype during an inspection trip to Shanghai in 2014.

"In the past, our philosophy was 'manufacturing is not as good as buying' and 'buying is not as good as renting', but now we need to reverse it. First of all, we need to spend more money on researching and manufacturing our own aircraft so as to increase the ability of being independent," Xi said back then.

The designers of the C919 have not rested on their laurels following the aircraft's successful launch. After overcoming more than 100 technical challenges through independent innovation, the design team continues to work on new improvements and modifications, ensuring the C919 remains at the forefront of aviation technology.

"We must continue to take in feedback from the market and customers, we must continuously improve and optimize the aircraft, and accelerate the serial development of the C919 large passenger aircraft. For example, the C919 plateau prototype we are currently working on still has many technical challenges. We must all strive to reach the pinnacle of world science and technology," said Ma Xianchao, chief designer of the basic model of the C919 aircraft.

Market for China's homegrown C919 jetliner expands as optimization continues

China has seen a tourism boom in the first five days of the week-long National Day holiday, as people seize the opportunity to embrace natural and cultural attractions nationwide.

From Oct 1 to 5, Beijing received 20.5392 million tourists, including 10.8615 million tourists from other Chinese cities and 46,800 inbound tourists. Key scenic spots of the Chinese capital, including the Wangfujing Street, the Temple of Heaven Park, the Summer Palace, Nanluoguxiang, and Badaling Great Wall, were crowded with people during the holiday.

In east China's Jiangxi Province, many tourists choose to climb mountains, or walk into the countryside to feel the charm of nature. In the first five days of the National Day holiday, Sanqingshan Scenic Area, a world natural heritage site in the province's Shangrao City, received more than 600,000 tourists, an increase of 25.6 percent over last year.

"The scenery, stones and mountains are just like traditional Chinese ink paintings, with a particularly beautiful artistic conception," said Liu Hao, a tourist.

While waiting to enter the park at the foot of the mountain, tourists watched the She people's performances with rich ethnic minority style, and the children enthusiastically participated in colorful games.

"Although there are a lot of people, everyone line up in an orderly manner and there are places to sit," said Zou Wenhao, another tourist.

As of Sunday, the total number of visitors to the Mount Taishan, a UNESCO world heritage site in east China's Shandong Province, has exceeded 7 million this year. From Oct. 2 to 5, the number of tourists at the scenic spot exceeded 73,000 per day for four consecutive days, and the number reached a peak of 82,000 on Oct. 3.

Tourists can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Taishan, but also taste various delicious food such as Taishan fried chicken and sweet and sour Yellow River carp in the nearby food street.

Chinese cities enjoy tourism boom during National Day holiday