MTU Aero Engines of Germany and the Chinese engine manufacturer AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Co. Ltd. (ACAE) have signed an agreement on key terms for a possible cooperation on the future CJ1000 engine. CJ stands for ChangJiang the Chinese name for the river Yangtse meaning continuity for the future – the basis for the relationship.

In a next step the parties intend to jointly prepare the development phase of this engine, targeted as a future application for the C919 narrowbody aircraft. This next level also includes an economical feasibility study as well as further partner discussions for the indigenous Chinese aero engine.

The agreement was signed by MTU CEO Egon Behle and Wang Zhi Lin, President of ACAE, on the occasion of the Aviation Expo China in Beijing. "We are very pleased with the ongoing cooperation with AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Company", Behle stated. "The Chinese aviation market is very dynamic and we intend to participate in this expected growth through our business expertise and know-how."

In a first step, ACAE and MTU conduct a joint definition study to explore options of building a domestic aircraft engine in China. The study will be finalized in November 2011 and evaluates the structure of a future local engine and the parameters needed to be successful in the market.