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China set for trial assembly of ARJ-21.

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The trial production of ARJ-21, Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century, will begin in China later in the year.

The aircraft has been described as a potential challenge to Airbus and Boeing by the Chinese state

media, and it is said to be the first short-haul passenger aircraft to be completely designed in China. It has passed an "air worthiness appraisal", according to the Xinhua news service, which also said that the aircraft is in the final stages of its design.

The production of parts and components reportedly started in 2003 and the trial assembly is expected to start before the end of the year. A maiden flight is expected late in 2006.

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