China has initiated a construction project of a major plane industrial base in Shanghai to provide solid support for the country's ambition of domestic manufacture of civil airplanes.

The base, located in Dachang, Baoshan District, is expected to manufacture 50 ARJ21 airplanes annually after it begins production, said the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) on Thursday.

With an investment of 1.8 billion yuan (225 million U.S. dollars), the construction of the Dachang base began on Wednesday.

The design of the ARJ21 airplane, the country's first locally developed short haul jet, has been completed and it is expected to conduct its maiden flight in March 2008, according to the company.

ARJ21 planes are designed to carry 70 to 110 passengers. The airframe is 3.14 meters wide and 2.06 meters high.

At present, China uses foreign-made Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier planes for flights of domestic air routes.

Besides the Dachang base, AVIC I will also construct two other industrial bases for regional jets manufacture in Minhang District and Pudong New Area.

The three bases will form China's largest complex for research, design, development and manufacturing of domestic-made airplanes.

Source: Xinhua