Following tensions between the partners and uncertainties linked to international sanctions on Russia, Comac is continuing the programme independently of UAC.

[6] The China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation Limited (CRAIC) 50-50 joint venture was launched on May 22, 2017 in Shanghai, targeting a 2025–2028 maiden flight and first delivery.

[10] On May 15 at a Shanghai conference on aeroengines, the design grew to a 63.25 m (207.5 ft) length, 45 cm (18 in) shorter than the A330-900 but still with nine-abreast economy seating, requiring 78,000 lbf (347 kN) of thrust from each engine.

[12] The responding engine manufacturers appeared to be Chinese AECC, General Electric, Rolls-Royce and Russian UEC, the three others were for related systems.

[13] The general layout and principal geometry was approved on 6 June 2018: the wing span and shape, fuselage length, nose and tail dimensions, fins sizing and form, location of engines, landing gear and doors.

Within the same Gate 3, which should be completed by mid-2019, are experimental aerodynamics research, structural materials selection and technical analysis of supplied systems and equipment.

[15] The US-China trade war did not prevent bidding from UTC Aerospace Systems, which did not seek the contract and Canadian Héroux-Devtek has not received the RFP.

[13] Leonardo-Finmeccanica was negotiating to set up a joint venture with Comac and the Chinese Kangde group before the end of October 2018, to produce the fuselage central section in Zhangjiagang for $10 billion until 2040.

[21] High-speed wind tunnel testing was completed by December 2019 at the Moscow Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, using a 1:39 scale model of the fuselage and wing.

[23] By June 2021, China and Russia appeared to have put differences aside in relation to future market share, and confirmed plans to start building a prototype in 2021 with maiden flight in 2023.

[27] In November 2023, noting that the programme was entering the detailed design stage, Comac confirmed the C929 name and the fact that the aircraft was "now being independently developed by China".

[36] Technically, it could also use AI-38 engines co-developed by China and Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress from the 225 kN Progress D-18T of the An-124/An-225,[37] although the MoU between Russian UEC and Chinese AECC made this possibility unlikely.

[38] In November 2024, Comac announced that Air China would be the launch customer for the C929, though it did not state how many aircraft the airline would order nor the expected delivery date.