Originally proposed by Xi'an Aircraft Factory in June 1970 as a 4-engined version of Xian H-6, design begun in February 1971 after the proposal was granted by the state.
Li Xian | Xian H-6 | Emperor Xian of Han | Liu Xian | Xiao Xian | Xian Y-7 | Xian Xinghai | Xian'an District | Xian | Li Xián | Jia Xian | Gong Xian | Dou Xian |
AVIC I was historically focused on large planes such as bombers (Xian H-6, Xian JH-7), medium commercial planes (ARJ21), or fighter planes (J-7, J-8, J-10, J-11, and JF-17), while AVIC II was focused on smaller planes and helicopters.
Delivery of the Tu-16 to China began in 1958, and the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) produced a copy of it under the Chinese designation Xian H-6.
Xian H-6I — Modified version powered by four Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 512 turbofan engines, originally purchased as spare engines for Hawker Siddeley Tridents in service with CAAC.