The ERJ 145 aircraft co-produced by China and Brazil will soon make its maiden flight.

The first 50-seat aircraft will be delivered to the user by year end. China will soon be able to produce 24 such turbo jet aircraft annually, in order to satisfy urgent domestic needs, said Liang Zhenhe, deputy general manager of the China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II).

The cooperation between AVIC II and Embraer was considered a beneficial trial of China's aviation industry to increase the pace of international collaboration.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2003)