China, Russia launch long-haul challenge to Boeing, Airbus

Sure. They can do it. It is probably a good thing to have competition, and it fits their diplomatic strategies to launch and support this.

But it will take heavy investment in a mature industry. They could lose their shirts. You know, everyone paints the Chinese as these titans of commerce, but they have made a lot of dodgy investments that they might have to eat someday.

I am sure Russia is just happy to be invited to the table.

More competition is always welcome, but I think they will have an extremely hard time convincing people their planes are completely safe and have high performance