TIANJIN, Oct. 11 -- Aircraft engine WZ16, a type of turboshaft engine jointly developed by Chinese and French aviation companies, has received a certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, according to its developer Thursday.

The engine, jointly developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China and French aviation giant Safran, has a takeoff power of no less than 1,240 kW. It can be fitted into a seven-tonne twin-engine helicopter.

It is characterized by high reliability, low-cost maintenance and has reached the level of advanced international civilian engines.

The engine will help ensure the safe operation of the AC352 helicopter, China's first seven-tonne multipurpose twin-engine helicopter.

It will further support China's development of civil aviation engines and civilian helicopters. It also shows that Sino-French cooperation in the aviation industry has borne fruitful results.