China will continue to import "many" large aircrafts over the next five years, but after that, large Chinese aircrafts will begin to be "widely used," an aviation expert told China.org.cn.
Feng Peide, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and CPPCC member, said China has sought international cooperation for decades to develop aviation technology within China, but most Western governments refused to export their high-level technology because of security reasons.
"Early in the 1980s, I had tried my best to seek international cooperation all over the world," Feng said. "Although some companies were willing to cooperate with us, local governments refused to give support."
Feng said China has made progress in cooperation with France recently but still thinks the French government should make "more efforts" on affirming China's market economy status and relaxing export restrictions on sensitive technology.
But even though China's aviation industry remains in nascent stages for now, the country has large dreams for the future.
"Someday, we also will sell our own aircrafts abroad," Feng said.