A Boeing 737-800CF aircraft is painted at the One-stop Aircraft Maintenance Industry Base of Hainan Free Trade port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 6, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei) The Hainan Free Trade Port offered preferential tax exemptions for maintenance of aviation materials.

US-based plane manufacturer Boeing said on Wednesday that it will continue to expand a solid and innovative partnership with China, after the C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, completed its inaugural commercial flight on Sunday.

The maiden flight is regarded as a milestone in China's aviation industry, and means that the jet will compete with global plane producers such as Boeing.

Boeing has always been a loyal partner serving the development of China's civil aviation transportation industry, and supporting China's establishment and development of a safe, efficient and profitable aviation system to match the pace of China's rapid economic growth, Boeing said in a statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.

Boeing continues to expand its solid and innovative partnership with China, covering the entire life cycle of aircraft manufacturing and operation, including the production of parts and components, aircraft completion and delivery, aircraft modification and maintenance, and aviation services, the company added. 

C919 had its maiden commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing on Sunday. Hours after the conclusion of the inaugural commercial flight, Boeing sent messages of congratulation, saying that "we would like to extend our sincere congratulations to China Eastern Airlines and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China."

The maiden flight of the C919 is regarded as being of great significance to China's civil aircraft manufacturing industry, which has been monopolized by overseas players Boeing and Airbus for decades. 

In an interview with the Global Times in April, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said that COMAC has brought new competition to the market. "We have great respect for any competitor in the market," he said.

Boeing said that it has so far delivered more than 2,000 aircraft to Chinese airlines and leasing companies, making China Boeing's largest commercial aircraft market outside the US.

The long-term cooperative partnership between Boeing and China has reached more than half a century. Boeing aircraft have become the mainstays of China's air passenger and cargo systems. 

The Chinese aviation industry chain has fully engaged in the manufacturing process. Boeing said China is involved in the manufacturing of all Boeing models in production, including the 737, 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.

More than 10,000 Boeing aircraft flying around the world use parts and components made in China. Boeing's operations in China directly contribute more than $1.5 billion annually to the Chinese economy in the form of multi-supplier purchases, joint venture revenues, operational activities, training, and research and development investments, according to the company.