Chinese mainland's domestically developed passenger aircraft C919 flies over Hong Kong, on Dec 16, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – People in Hong Kong were amazed by the C919 aircraft – the homegrown plane – as it flew as low as 1,000 feet in a demonstration flight over Victoria Harbour on Saturday.

Taking off from the Hong Kong International Airport around 10:30 am, the C919 flew from west to east across the harbor and revolved around the sky upon Hong Kong Island twice. 

The demonstration drew in a lot of onlookers in different places to witness the plane’s first appearance over the city’s skies.

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The C919 and ARJ21 – the two domestically developed passenger aircraft – arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday and received a water salute at the HKIA. They had been staged on a static display since arrival, and are scheduled to leave the city on Sunday.

Chinese mainland's domestically developed passenger aircraft C919 flies over Hong Kong, on Dec 16, 2023. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

For the C919 plane, the Hong Kong trip marked its first voyage out of the Chinese mainland. 

It is a large commercial passenger aircraft strictly designed, manufactured and certificated in accordance with international airworthiness standards. The first commercial C919 aircraft was delivered to an airline in December 2022 and it came into service in 2023. 

Meanwhile, the ARJ21 — the first turbofan regional aircraft independently designed and manufactured by China — began commercial operation in 2016 and was brought into the international market last year following an official delivery to its overseas customers.

The two planes highlight the achievements in the development of the nation’s aviation engineering, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu earlier said.

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He also expressed his gratitude for the country’s support for Hong Kong’s aviation industry and its role as an international aviation hub.

“The city’s Civil Aviation Department had been actively working on various certification and assessment work of the C919,” Lee said, adding that he felt encouraged as personnel from the city could participate in the project of the nation’s homegrown aircraft.