The history and future of Chinese aviation was showcased at a press conference held at Zhuhai Airshow Center on Oct 31, where the general manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said that it has “leapfrogged forward” over the past 20 years.

Tan Ruisong was speaking just a day before the southern Guangdong city of Zhuhai is set to host its 11th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2016.

AVIC General Manager Tan Ruisong (M) gives an address at a press conference detailing the company's development over the past 20 years. [Photo by Cao Yinan/China Daily]

Speaking at the conference, Tan said the success of the company over the last few years stemmed from the decision to forge its own path, rather than follow the status quo of the industry. 

"Much of AVIC's success can be put down to self innovation, and moving from a domestic market to a multinational one," Tan said.

AVIC has played a major role in developing Chinese aviation for two decades, and at this year's event it has more than 160 different aerospace products across 11 categories on show, such as the J-20 stealth fighter, making its world debut, and the Y-20 heavy transport vehicle.

AVIC's AG600 amphibious aircraft is one of the most striking vehicles on display at Airshow China 2016, from Nov 1 to 6. [Photo by Cao Yinan/China Daily]

Airshow China is one of the biggest aviation and aerospace exhibitions of its kind in Asia, with more than 700 exhibitors from some 42 countries and regions set to attend from Nov 1 to 6. Overseas exhibitors, from countries such as Russia, Germany, and the UK, will account for 45 percent. 

Large agreements and deals are expected to be signed over the coming week, including announcements of potential collaborations between AVIC, Boeing, and AIM Altitude; as well as Boeing and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) – the maker of China's largest home grown commercial passenger plane.

AVIC Vice General Manager Zhang Xinguo, spoke of the company's desire to build on its 20 years of development and look towards the bright future ahead, including the very real possibility of developing AVIC's own aviation engines, thus lessening the reliance on overseas manufacturers.

"Aircraft engines are more difficult to make than other kinds, and at the moment only a few countries build them," said Zhang. "In the future, aircraft engines made in China could play a more prominent role in Chinese aviation."