As part of a premier Chinese air show that saw China's J-20 stealth fighter make its public debut on Tuesday, officials said the country is about to make a giant step forward in civil aviation with the first test flight of the C919 later this year or in early 2017.

The much-anticipated C919, a large, homegrown passenger jet, is expected to provide a major impetus to domestic airplane manufacturing as it clinches new orders before its first test flight.

The latest news on the single-aisle, 168-passenger, twin-engine jet has been a highlight of this week's China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai.