The ARJ21 model is China's first airplane sold to European and American companies.  A GE airplane leasing subsidiary (GECAS) has order 25 of them that are to be delivered starting from next year, and domestic orders have reached 208 units. 

A new large airplane assembly company, based upon the ARJ21 business, was formed last month in Shanghai with total registered capital of 2 billion yuan, and with the purpose of synchronizing large airplane research and design, final assembly, and customer services.  

The consustruction of the research and design center began on Monday in the southern section of the Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, the eastern business hub of Shanghai, and its first phase will be completed and put into use at the end of 2011, according to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC).

COMAC was officially inaugurated in May 2008 with a registered capital of 19 billion yuan. The objective is to develop the capability of building airplanes with a take-off weight of more than 100 tons, or with more than 150 seats.