Japanese manufacturer IHI Corp. will offer an independently developed regional jet turbofan in the next decade, according to plans that envision Japan joining China in trying to break into the civil aero-engine market. After decades of developing expertise in major components of U.S. and British engines, the Japanese company is making a run at getting into the front rank of an industry that has always been dominated by Western companies.

Boeing and Chinese partner Avic have begun to expand their joint composites business in Tianjin, breaking ground on the $21 million project that is planned to increase capacity by 60%. The extension of the business, Boeing Tianjin Composites Co, is due to begin production in 2013. The plant specializes in labor-intensive composite parts. It was called BHA Aero Composites Parts until Boeing bought out the other partner, Hexcel, earlier this year.

Hainan Airlines parent HNA Group will further diversify its sprawling business by building a 450 million yuan (US$66 million) airport in northeastern China in partnership with a metals trading firm. The airport, at Yingkou in the province Liaoning, will have an initial capacity between 150,000 and 300,000 people a year, rising to between 3 million and 5 million. HNA’s partner is China Minmetals Corp.