Beijing, Sept 10: China is confident it will be able to sell a fighter jet jointly produced with Pakistan on the global market and will step up cooperation with Islamabad on the programme, state press said today. "The maiden flight of the fighter jet last week was a clear indication that cooperation between the two countries in the aviation industry has born another important fruit," Yang Chunshun of the China Aero Technology Import and Export Co said.

"We will continue to work closely with Pakistan in the coming years to produce and sell the aircraft," he told the China daily, adding that the jet had "good market prospects". On August 25, China and Pakistan tested the first prototype of the FC-1, also known in a confusing array of names as the JF-17 Thunder, f-7 or the Super J-7 and nicknamed the Xiao Long.

A public test flight was held amid great fanfare a week ago in southeastern Chengdu city with Pakistani Air Force chief Kaleem Saadat attending the ceremony.

The jet's design is based on the now defunct Russian MIG-33 jet and contains Russian avionics and engines.

Chinese state press reports said the fighter would be attractive to overseas buyers due to its avionics and manoeuvrability, which are comparable to those of the US-built F-16, a 1970s-vintage aircraft. Bureau Report