{
  "id": 2053213,
  "title": "China’s C919 supply chain: inside the push to replace Western aerospace parts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/chinas-c919-supply-chain-inside-the-push-to-replace-western-aerospace",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T01:00:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3364591/chinas-c919-supply-chain-inside-push-replace-western-aerospace-parts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "China is intensifying its efforts to source local components for its C919 narrowbody airliner, with the goal of progressively replacing imported materials, according to a prominent aircraft engineer. This push aims to reduce the aircraft's dependence on foreign suppliers and mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions. The C919, which entered commercial service in May 2023, is a key component of China's ambitious aerospace plans as it seeks to challenge the dominance of Boeing and Airbus. As of July, Comac had delivered 42 C919s to domestic clients. However, industry experts acknowledge that completely eliminating reliance on Western suppliers is a complex, long-term endeavor. Zhang Xiaoyan, a chief engineer at the Aero Engine Corporation of China's Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, revealed that the C919 and future Chinese models may incorporate parts from domestic suppliers, such as sealants, paints, bolts, and even cleaning agents. One example is the domestically developed polythioether sealant HM1176, which has been used on the C919 and China's CJ-1000 engine series since 2025 for structural sealing and corrosion protection. Despite the progress made in localizing components, the industry insider emphasized that advanced aviation materials, such as composites, are predominantly sourced from established US and European manufacturers. To bolster self-reliance, Zhang suggested exploring the expertise and supply-chain ecosystem developed for the defense sector, where aviation materials and products have already been adapted for military aircraft. Industry observers have questioned whether increased domestic component usage could complicate the C919's pursuit of European Union safety certification, a prerequisite for major international sales. However, Zhang dismissed these concerns, stating that Comac has thoroughly considered the matter and that using domestic products would serve as an additional safety safeguard.",
  "summary": "China is stepping up efforts to source local components for its passenger aircraft, particularly the C919 narrowbody airliner, with the focus expanding from home-grown engines to progressively replacing imported sealants, paints, bolts and other materials, according to a prominent aircraft engineer. The push means the C919, as well as future Chinese models and engines, could increasingly…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}