BEIJING -- China will start the R & D on ARJ21-900 regional aircrafts after launching the maiden flight of ARJ21-700 in 2008.

The country, which has accelerated the steps of developing its own aircrafts (especially grand ones), rolled out ARJ21-700, a regional jetliner with 90 seats' capacity for economy-cabin version, on Dec. 21, 2007.

ARJ21-900, an upgraded version of ARJ21-700, will be capable of seating 105 passengers and can offer more seats, depending on customers' needs. Improvement will also be incorporated in performance of the aircraft.

The higher version aircraft will be jointly developed by China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) and Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Inc.

The project of ARJ21 series of aircrafts is seen as a foundation stone of the grand aircraft project of the country, which will be carried out in ten years as expected. The grand aircrafts will be in part manufactured in aviation bases of the country and be assembled in Shanghai.