China is moving fast to change its aviation supply chain in 2025, focusing on making more airplane parts at home and relying less on foreign suppliers. This push comes as the United States 🇺🇸 tightens export controls, putting pressure on China’s main aircraft maker, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), and its new C919 jet. The country’s efforts to build its own jet engine, the CJ-1000A, are also gaining speed, but challenges remain.
Beijing’s campaign to localize the aviation supply chain has become more urgent since May 2025, when the United States 🇺🇸 suspended export licenses for key avionics and engine parts to COMAC. This move threatens the company’s goal to produce 50 C919 jets this year and affects over 1,000 pending orders from Chinese airlines. As a result, COMAC has started stockpiling engines and other critical parts, but experts say this is only a short-term fix.
China’s Push for Self-Reliance
China’s government has made aviation a top priority under its “Made in China 2025” plan and the “2035 self-reliance plan.” The goal is to have 80% of aviation components made domestically by 2035. As of early 2025, more than 55% of the C919’s parts—including engines, flight control systems, and avionics—still come from suppliers in the United States 🇺🇸 and Europe. This heavy reliance on foreign technology has made the aviation supply chain vulnerable to export controls and trade tensions.
To address this, China is working to produce more parts at home. Recent breakthroughs include localizing hydraulic fluids and other important maintenance materials, which were previously imported from Western suppliers. Airlines and maintenance providers in China are now adapting to new sourcing rules, focusing more on domestic certification and quality checks.
The CJ-1000A Engine: A Key Test
A major part of China’s plan is the CJ-1000A, its first large commercial jet engine developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC). In July 2025, Zhang Yanzhong from the Chinese Academy of Engineering said the engine’s progress was “very positive.” The CJ-1000A aims to match the performance of the CFM LEAP-1C engine, which is currently used in the C919.
The engine is now in its final testing stages, and AECC says it will be ready for installation in commercial aircraft soon. However, as of August 2025, there is no official date for when it will enter service. If the CJ-1000A passes all tests and gets certified, it will be a big step toward China’s goal of supply chain independence.
Impact of US Export Controls
The United States 🇺🇸 has played a major role in shaping China’s aviation ambitions. The new export controls, announced in May 2025, have made it harder for COMAC to get the parts it needs. Without access to US technology, production and delivery of the C919 could slow down, causing delays and higher costs for Chinese airlines.
China’s answer has been to speed up its localization efforts and look for new suppliers in Europe and Asia. As US companies are pushed out, European and Asian firms are gaining a bigger share of the Chinese market. Still, some of the most advanced parts—like engines and avionics—are hard to replace quickly.
Industry Analysis and Global Effects
Industry experts say China’s progress in building its own aviation supply chain is impressive, but full independence is still years away. The biggest challenges are in making high-tech parts, especially engines and flight control systems. Some analysts warn that the current political climate, with countries focusing on “friendshoring” (working mainly with trusted partners), could slow China’s progress or make it more expensive.
Others point out that China’s growing power in air freight and airport infrastructure, helped by Belt and Road investments, is already changing how aviation supply chains work in Asia and beyond. This could give China more influence over regional aviation networks in the future.
Background: How China Got Here
The push for self-reliance in aviation started with the “Made in China 2025” plan, launched in 2015. The C919 project began in the late 2000s as a symbol of China’s desire to compete with Western aerospace giants like Boeing and Airbus. However, the project has faced many delays, mainly because of strict rules on technology transfer and the need to meet international safety standards.
Despite these hurdles, COMAC is now seen as a serious challenger in the narrowbody jet market. In 2025, the global market is expected to produce 1,411 commercial jets, with Airbus and Boeing still making up 95.6% of output. COMAC’s growing presence is starting to shift this balance.
Practical Implications for Stakeholders
- Airlines and Lessors: Companies operating in China should prepare for possible delays and higher costs as the aviation supply chain changes. They may need to adjust their plans for buying new planes or maintaining existing fleets.
- Foreign Suppliers: US and European companies face more barriers to selling parts in China. Domestic Chinese firms could grow quickly if they can meet quality and safety standards.
- Investors: Those interested in the aviation sector should watch developments in rare earths, advanced materials, and new manufacturing methods, as these areas are now strategic priorities for China.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The next one to two years will be critical for China’s aviation supply chain. If the CJ-1000A engine gets certified and is used in the C919, it will show that China can make key parts on its own. However, the United States 🇺🇸 is likely to keep or even tighten export controls, which could push China to invest even more in research and development.
Global supply chains may become more regional, with China, Europe, and the United States 🇺🇸 building separate systems for aviation technology and parts. This could mean more competition but also more risk of delays and higher costs.
Official Resources and Further Information
For more details on China’s aviation industry and official updates, readers can visit the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This site provides information on regulations, certification, and industry news.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, China’s efforts to localize its aviation supply chain are reshaping the global market, but the country still faces big challenges in reaching full independence, especially in high-tech areas like engines and avionics.
Key Takeaways
- China is making strong progress in building its own aviation supply chain, focusing on the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and the CJ-1000A engine.
- US export controls have made it harder for China to get key parts, pushing the country to speed up domestic production.
- The next two years will show if China can truly achieve self-reliance in commercial aviation, or if outside pressures will slow its progress.
Stakeholders should stay alert to changes in policy, technology, and supply chain dynamics, as these will shape the future of aviation in China and around the world.
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