China's first home-designed turbojet passed a national quality appraisal Monday and is ready to serve in the country's air force.

Engineers said the new high-performance engine has met all the requirements for ground and flight tests, marking an end to China's history of importing and copying foreign made turbojets.

The moderate thrust-jet, designed by the Shenyang Aviation Engine Research Institute, has potential both in terms of performance and life-span.

Further production of the turbojet is expected to satisfy the needs of China's air force in the next couple of years.

(People's Daily May 21, 2002)