Russian émigrés made a significant contribution to the development of industry in many countries, including China. One such person was Konstantin Lvovich Zakharchenko, who became the founder of Chinese aircraft manufacturing. After the Civil War, he left Russia, settled in the USA, and worked for a long time at Edo Aircraft Corporation. In 1934, the Chinese government proposed to create a design bureau, and Zakharchenko led a team of three specialists sent to China.

Upon arriving in China, Zakharchenko was struck by the lack of even a minimal base for aircraft construction. He first had to build a factory, then find equipment and train engineers. Despite the difficulties, he successfully accomplished the task. In 1935, Zakharchenko began developing the first Chinese fighter, named "Fuxing," which translates to "Revival." This multipurpose aircraft could be used as a fighter, light bomber, and photo-reconnaissance plane. The Chinese were pleased and assigned him the next task.

In 1937, Zakharchenko designed a new fighter, the "Zhong 28-Jia," which had good flight characteristics for that time and high speed thanks to the American Wright Cyclone engine. Some technical solutions were borrowed from the Soviet I-16 fighter, but local bamboo, which was abundant in China, was used for the skin.

During World War II, Zakharchenko helped the Chinese establish the production of American Hawk aircraft under license and assembled new fighters from the parts of downed planes. In 1943, he considered his mission accomplished and returned to the USA, where he was awarded the Order of National Glory for his services to the Chinese people. Later in the USA, Zakharchenko worked on the development of cruise missiles.