A C919 model displayed at an exhibition. [File photo]

The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China and France's Safran Labinal Inc yesterday formed a joint venture to work on the electrical wiring interconnection systems for China's C919 jumbo jet.

COMAC will own 51 percent of the joint venture, Shanghai Saifei Aviation Ewis Manufacturing, which will also design and produce the systems for the aviation industry in Asia-Pacific. The venture is based in Pudong New Area.

"The electrical wiring interconnection systems are the 'neuro' for a jet and are key to the production efficiency and safety of the planes," COMAC said in a press release yesterday.

Safran has been selected to supply the propulsion system for the C919 which seats 150 and has a flying range of 4,075 kilometers. Over 10 Chinese companies have ordered 235 aircraft which is due to make its first flight in 2014.

Wu Guanghui, vice manager of COMAC and the aircraft's chief designer, said the final assembly of the jet will be done at the new COMAC assembly center, which is nearing completion in the Pudong New Area.