Wuxi will strive to make aero-engine and gas turbine manufacturing a new engine of the city's economy, according to a recent symposium.
China listed aero-engine and gas turbine manufacturing as a major state-level project in the draft 13th Five-year plan (2016-2020) submitted to the national legislature.
It is seeking new growth drivers to offset downward pressure as the country continues its development under the "new normal".
The aircraft engine industry offers a chance to boost the economy while strengthening defense manufacturing and pioneering technological innovation.
According to a government work report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Fourth Session of the ongoing 12th National People's Congress, China will continue supply-side structural reforms to give full play to the role of the market, adjust the relationship between supply and demand, and lift the total factor productivity. It will also foster new growth engines through innovation and entrepreneurship.
The aero-engine industry is often used to gauge a country's manufacturing level. It involves hundreds of different fields from precision manufacturing and material science to automatic controls.
Currently, the fixed-asset investment in Wuxi's aero-engine and gas turbine manufacturing has topped 6 billion yuan ($925.2 million). During the past three years, the investment in research and development reached nearly 600 million yuan.
The number of related enterprises and research institutions are around 20. Aviation Power Control Co and Wuxi Turbine Blade Co, for example, have built up their core competitiveness and taken a high market share.
Generally, aero-engine and gas turbine manufacturing is in the initial phase nationwide and the regional disparities in the field are not obvious, said Wuxi mayor Wang Quan at the symposium.
He added that aero-engine and gas turbine manufacturing is of significance to supply-side structural reforms. Therefore, Wuxi should seize the opportunity to make it stronger.
