France-based aircraft manufacturer, Airbus will deliver more than 30 civilian aircraft to China in 2004, Airbus China president Laurence Barron announced in Beijing Friday.

The aircraft will be operated by major Chinese airlines, including China Southern Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, Barron said.

Airbus had delivered 36 civilian aircraft to the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region last year.

Airbus has been steadily expanding its China business since entering the country in 1985.

To date, more than 220 Airbus aircraft are operating with air service flights from the Chinese mainland, and the Hong Kong and Macao SARS.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2004)