The AVIC AG600 -- the world's largest seaplane -- flew for the first time on April 29 from the waters off the port city of Zhuhai in southern Guangdong province.

The maiden flight of the four engine turboprop was labeled a success by Chinese state-controlled media. It was to have occurred in May and no reason was given for advancing this flight.

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The seaplane was developed by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA), which is a subsidiary of aerospace firm the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Over the past months, Chinese media has harped on the civilian virtues of this amphibious aircraft. It says the AG600 was designed to extinguish forest fires and carry out rescue missions at sea. One media outlet, however, said this amphib can also "be used to monitor and protect the ocean."

Despite this focus on the civilian qualities of the AG600, it's well known the largest user of this seaplane won't be a civilian organization or scientific institute but the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Certification procedures are expected to be completed by 2020. CAIGA said deliveries of the seaplane will begin in 2021. 

It said the first plane will be delivered to the State Forestry Administration, which will use it to fight forest fires.

The biggest user of the AG600, however, is expected to be the PLAN, which is slated to receive most of the first 17 planes to be produced.

CAIGA launched the AG600 project in September 2009 to fill the gap in China's lack of amphibious aircraft, which is now more acute given the tense military situation in the South China Sea.

The AG600 has a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 metric tons and an operational range of about 4,500 kilometers.

It will give China the ability to more quickly reinforce the military garrisons on its man-made islands in the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 12, 2016 declared China has no legal rights to claim most of the South China Sea. The same court also found China had infringed on the Philippines' territorial rights. China has unilaterally dismissed the ruling.

TagsAVIC AG600, world's largest seaplane, Zhuhai, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, People's Liberation Army Navy, PLAN