城记丨锻造“大国重器” 长三角大飞机产业集群正待“鲲鹏展翅”

Core Viewpoint - The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) is emerging as a significant hub for the large aircraft industry, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recognizing it as a national advanced manufacturing cluster by December 2024, and a cooperation framework established by June 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Development - The YRD aims to create a world-class large aircraft industry cluster with international competitiveness, focusing on high-end sub-chains such as structural components, composite materials, aircraft engines, and onboard systems [2][3]. - The C919's commercial operation in 2023 marked China's entry into the global large aircraft industry, transitioning from a "follower" to a "runner" status, with the new agreement signaling a bold attempt to gain control over core technologies in the industry [2][3]. Group 2: Regional Advantages - The YRD has attracted over one-third of China's large aircraft supply chain suppliers, with nearly a thousand related enterprises and an industrial output exceeding 100 billion yuan [3][4]. - Shanghai serves as the leading city, housing major companies like COMAC and AVIC, along with many international suppliers' Chinese headquarters, enhancing its assembly and system integration capabilities [3][4]. Group 3: Collaborative Efforts - The collaboration among the three provinces and one city in the YRD is essential for the large aircraft industry's development, with over 1,000 enterprises and 300,000 people involved from more than 20 provinces [5][6]. - The YRD's historical openness and collaborative culture facilitate a comprehensive economic logic that integrates various strengths to advance the industry [5][6]. Group 4: Market Potential - As of February 2025, COMAC has received nearly 1,500 orders for the C919, with confirmed orders close to 1,000, indicating strong market demand [6][7]. - The large aircraft manufacturing sector is recognized as a leading knowledge economy industry, with significant potential for growth, as China is projected to have 10,061 passenger aircraft by 2043, representing 20.6% of the global fleet [7][8].