Construction began on Friday on a new helicopter plant in Tianjin whose annual output is expected to account for up to one-fifth of total global production by 2017.

The plant hosts the headquarters, assembly, research and development, sales and service centers of a helicopter company set up in February by Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), the nation's leading aviation manufacturer, and Tianjin municipality.

AVIC General Manager Lin Zuoming said at the launch ceremony that the plant's "annual production capacity of at least 300 helicopters is expected to account for 15 to 20 percent of total global production".