Chinese companies will take 5 percent of the work on Airbus's A350 program, said Gustav Humbert, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Programs.

"Based on the A330, the A350 will have new wings and engines, offer a greater range, and have lower seat-mile costs. This means that we will be offering the Chinese industry a risk sharing participation in the design and the manufacture of the A350 program," said Humbert.

"The potential collaboration with China on the A350 program is immediate. It is a very timely stepping stone to the full risk sharing participation of at least 10 percent in a long-term future program of Airbus," he added.

Regarding technology transfer, Airbus has undertaken to transfer to China the technology required for the manufacturing of the complete wing of the A320 family aircraft, Humbert said.

 (Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2004)