When the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, visited an aircraft factory in January the trained geologist chose the opportunity to give a “pep talk” on the manufacturing of jumbo jets to the assembled engineers.

Less than four months later, Mr Wen was present for the inauguration of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (or Cacc) where he exhorted the Chinese people to “use their own two hands and their wisdom to manufacture internationally competitive large aircraft”.