China Airlines (CAL) , Taiwan's largest carrier, inaugurated a 120,000-pound aircraft engine testing platform Wednesday at its maintenance workshop in northern Taiwan's Taoyuan County as part of its efforts to expand business and reduce costs. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Vice Premier Eric Lilun Chu said the platform is an important milestone in Taiwan's aerospace industry development. In addition to serving CAL's fleet, Chu said, the new repair and maintenance facility can also service the fleets of other carriers and aerospace companies in East Asia. Chu said the inauguration of the CAL engine testing platform is also expected to contribute to the Taoyuan International Aviation City project, which was initiated by him during his tenure as Taoyuan County magistrate. Under the project, Taoyuan International Airport -- Taiwan's main gateway -- and its surroundings will be developed into a regional hub for aviation services (air logistics, maintenance repair and overhaul etc.), high-tech manufacturing, export processing, business services (offices, conventions and exhibitions), retail, hospitality, tourism, and residential and quality agriculture development. According to CAL Chairman Philip Wei, the new aircraft engine testing facility is equipped with the world's most advanced control and testing system, ASE2000LX, which boasts a 360-degree rotating engine handling system, semi- automated work system and multiple soundproofing designs. The new facility can test various types of Boeing and Airbus aircraft in service or in development, including the jumbo A380 Airbus and the B777, which is equipped with the world's largest aircraft engine, as well as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, both of which are under development, Wei said. Wei said CAL's air cargo business is very robust in the fourth quarter of this year because of the global economic recovery and improved relations across the Taiwan Strait. 