AG600 becomes China's first large civil aircraft with home-developed airborne systems

China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft is the country's first large civil aircraft that adopts fully independently developed airborne systems, which are essential to the aircraft.

The system refers to the integration of a monitoring system into an aircraft to continuously monitor structural deformation in real time, providing valuable data for flight control and safety.

Based on domestic prime manufacturer, system integrators and equipment suppliers, the development of the aircraft has established a model for other domestically produced civil aircraft.

Moreover, domestic suppliers have seen their deeper involvement in the aircraft development process and stronger roles within the supply chain. This has enabled coordinated collaboration across the entire industrial chain and facilitated joint efforts in making key technological breakthrough.

"As China's first large specialized aircraft adopting fully independently-developed airborne systems and equipment, it holds significant importance in advancing the construction of a safe and independent civil aviation airborne system industry in China. For the first time in China, five system integrators have independently undertaken the development of key core systems such as avionics, flight control, and high-lift systems. In addition, nearly 100 equipment suppliers have participated in the development of AG600," said Zhang Chao, deputy head of a division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's leading aircraft manufacturer.

During the development of the AG600 aircraft, domestic suppliers achieved key technological breakthroughs, broke up foreign suppliers' monopolies in domestic market, and effectively supported the establishment of a technological and equipment system for large amphibious aircraft.

AG600 is the world's largest civil amphibious aircraft in terms of takeoff weight.

The model received its type certificate on Sunday from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, clearing the way for its delivery.

"Driven by the goal of obtaining the Type Certificate (TC) for AG600, the airborne systems industry has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in both airworthiness awareness and engineering capabilities. For the first time in China, the AG600 aircraft's airborne systems and more than a thousand related devices have undergone tiered and classified airworthiness verification, spanning systems, equipment, software, and hardware, in full compliance with China's airworthiness standards," said Zhang.

AG600 becomes China's first large civil aircraft with home-developed airborne systems

U.S. consumers will see higher prices and slower deliveries after Friday's expiration of a duty-free treatment for Chinese imports under 800 U.S. dollars, known as the de minimis threshold.

According to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on April 2, starting from Friday (May 2), imported goods from China entering the U.S. through means outside the international postal network, which are valued at or under 800 U.S. dollars and would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption, will be subject to all applicable duties, which should be paid in accordance with applicable entry and payment procedures.

The order also leaves all relevant postal items containing goods from China sent through the international postal network, which are valued at or under 800 dollars and would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption, subject to a duty rate of either 30 percent of their value or 25 dollars per item (increasing to 50 dollars per item after June 1). It adds that this is in lieu of any other duties, including those imposed by prior orders.

It's estimated that the U.S. receives nearly four million low-value packages every day, most of which come from China. According to a report from the Congressional Research Services of the United States, low-value packages from China have skyrocketed from 5.3 billion dollars in 2018 to 66 billion dollars in 2023.

In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has stated that the U.S. adjustment on its tariff policy on low-value imports is destructive and will seriously affect the interests of American consumers.

The ministry said that any adjustment to cross-border e-commerce should aim to bring more convenience to consumers.

The de minimis provision, which was introduced in 1938 for shipments of five U.S. dollars or less, allows low-value parcels to enter the U.S. tax free. In 2016, that threshold was increased to 800 dollars.

The policy was intended to reduce the administrative burden for U.S. customs, speed up e-commerce flow for both retailers and consumers, and encourage cross-border trade by lowering barriers for cheaper items.

U.S. consumers to feel pinch as duty-free treatment for cheap parcels from China ends