What Happened
Beijing Seeks Reduced Dependence On Foreign Suppliers
China is gradually replacing Western-made materials and components used on the COMAC C919 airliner, seeking to reduce the aircraft program’s dependence on foreign suppliers. Chinese companies and research institutes are developing domestic alternatives for products ranging from sealants and rubber to paints, fasteners, and cleaning materials. The initiative goes beyond the C919’s dependence on Western engines and avionics, with some domestically developed materials already being tested on the aircraft. According to the South China Morning Post, this effort is part of a broader strategy to build an indigenous commercial aircraft industry, as reported by Air Data News.