Foreign Media: China's large-scale procurement of Airbus aircraft does not signify abandoning the development of domestic aviation, but rather a more long-term strategic positioning. China Eastern Airlines' recent order of 25 Airbus A330neo passenger jets, valued at approximately $9.35 billion, has raised questions: Why are Chinese airlines still investing heavily in European companies?
The reason lies in the fact that the A330neo falls into the wide-body aircraft segment not yet covered by China's domestically developed C919. Therefore, these orders are not merely about acquiring aircraft—they also involve gaining experience in aviation operations, cultivating talent, and strengthening supply chain capabilities, resources that can be absorbed by China’s aviation industry in the future.
Meanwhile, China’s relationship with Airbus reflects a coexistence of cooperation and competition. On one hand, China is expanding Airbus’s production footprint in Tianjin, leveraging its technological expertise and industrial chain experience; on the other hand, China can exert pressure on Airbus through regulatory approvals and delivery processes, transforming market advantages into negotiation leverage.
Original Source: toutiao.com/article/1870482369144844/
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