BEIJING — Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, also known as Beihang University, announced on Aug 1 that it had set up a science center focusing on basic scientific research of the aero-engine and gas turbine.

“The Science Center for Gas Turbine was established with nationwide resources to support China’s independent innovation in the core domain,” said Xu Huibin, president of the university and the center.

The center was jointly established by Tsinghua University, the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of Chinese Academy of Sciences and multiple major research institutions and enterprises in similar fields.

The center will focus on the fundamental research of the aircraft engine and gas turbine through exploration of core technologies, talent cultivation, and establishment of scientific facilities, Xu said.

The aero-engine has been a perplexing “pain” for China’s aviation industry. China has included the aero-engine and gas turbine as part of the country’s major scientific and technological projects.

In 2016, China set up the Aero Engine Corporation of China in Beijing, aiming to make it a world-class aircraft engine maker with own innovation.