"It is the will of the nation to let (Chinese-made) large aircraft fly up into the sky. It must be done and it must succeed," said Premier Wen Jiabao in a visit to the Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Company on Dec. 30.

"I believe that the day must come and the dream of many generations of Chinese will come true," Wen said, while speaking with engineers at the company.

It is a major strategic decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council to build large aircraft, said the premier, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.

Chinese will make large planes that are globally competitive through their own work and wisdom, Wen said. He noted that it was not easy to manufacture large aircraft and China had to make many breakthroughs, especially involving engines, materials and electronic equipment.