Congratulation. I am so delighted to learn that the first JF-17 aircraft manufactured in Pakistan will be delivered to Pakistan Air Force.
At this landmark moment, on behalf of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), I would like to express my heartiest congratulations to H.E. President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Air Force and the friends from all fields in Pakistan, and express my highest compliments and sincere appreciation to the teams from both sides for their untiring effort and hard work on the success of JF-17 project.
As a significant project of Sino-Pak military industry co-operation, JF-17 project has played an important and special role in consolidating the traditional friendship and enhancing the strategic co-operation between China and Pakistan. The government of People's Republic of China and the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the co-operation principle agreement of S-7/FC-1 project in February 1998.
During the following 10 years, blessed and supported by the national leaders of China and Pakistan, with the mutual understanding, mutual trust and close collaboration between both working teams, JF 17 project successfully harvested a great deal of achievement in the airframe, avionics development and co-production, and reached all important milestones such as maiden flight of prototype aircraft 01, launching production in Pakistan, delivery of SBP aircraft and SP aircraft.
Since signing the Serial Production Contract in March 2009, AVIC has taken serious measures to boost production and overcame the great difficulty caused by extreme short leading time of production. Sub-Assemblies for 6 aircraft have been delivered to PAC Kamra as per the time schedule specified in the Contract, which laid the solid foundation for successful assembly. Test flight, and delivery in Pakistan.
With nearly 200 filial and over 20 listed companies under its control, AVIC is the sole ultra large state-owned enterprise in China, which could develop, produced aviation product and provide service. By long-term adherence to the customers' particular concern, AVIC ensures the products and services can fully meet the requirements of customers from China and abroad. Pakistan Air Force is the most important customer and co-operating partner. It is our great honour that hundreds of aircraft are in services of Pakistan Air Force. It is also our cordial expectation that co-produced JF-17 aircraft will soon form the backbone of Pakistan national defence.
AVIC will continuously boost and strengthen the co-operation with Pakistan in many fields and constantly give new meaning for the Sino-Pak strategic co-operative partnership. Finally, sincerely wish bright Sino-Pak co-operation long live Sino-Pak friendship.