The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, or Comac has signed a supply agreement for avionics with General Electric and joint-venture partner Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The deal is a significant step for the construction of China's first commercial airliner, the C919.

Avionics, or aviation electronics, are the electronic systems considered to be the most crucial part of the modern aircraft.

Wu Guanghui, General Designer of COMAC said, "The avionics system supplied to us is the most advanced generation. It is much more open and lighter."

The project has attracted involvement from 13 multinationals and over 40 domestic enterprises. They will supply key components for the construction of China's first commercial jet.

Construction of the C919 promises to bring huge business for China's emerging aviation industry. These two buildings are the first phase project headquarters, located in an aviation industrial park in Hunan Province. They will manufacture the plane's undercarriages for Comac.

Wu Guanghui said, "Components made in China will be part of C919. China's emerging aviation industry is definitely taking off."

It's estimated that 60 billion yuan will be pumped into research and development for China's first commercial jet. The project has created a complete industrial chain, scattered around 12 provinces and regions nationwide.