Throw a broad net to catch a big fish, the Chinese say. In English: have a lot of irons in the fire. Following that principle, China is contemplating at least nine business aircraft, of which five would be dedicated private jets while the others would be adapted commercial airplanes. Not all of those ideas will materialize, but five chances is a lot, even if a truly home-grown Chinese business jet is many years away.

Japan and South Korea are both laying the groundwork for combat aircraft they would field in the 2030s. But, whereas Japanese defense officials are looking at a manned fighter that would leap in technology past the Lockheed Martin F-35, South Korea is working on a strike drone for the 2030s, and a technically less ambitious—but still enormously challenging—home-grown fighter for the 2020s.

China will build an airport to serve 30 million people in central and southern Hunan, following approval by the country’s chief economic coordination agency. In anticipation of approval, the authorities have been acquiring land and demolishing buildings. Construction is not due to begin until the second half of this year but should be completed in 2013 at a cost of 656 million yuan ($104 million).