To commemorate the 20th anniversary of entry into China's market, Airbus is now considering the plan to establish a manufacture plant in China, which will be unprecedented for the two sides.

Airbus said its industrial cooperation with China and its technology transfer has entered a new phase this year. Over half of the world's 3,700 Airbus aircraft in operation have parts made in China.

It is predicted by 2007, China will grasp the most advanced technology of producing the wings of single-isle aircraft. The newly-established Airbus technological center in Beijing will take five percent work shares of Airbus A350 aircraft, including aircraft design.

The cooperation between China and Airbus kept expanding in the past few years. There are now six Chinese manufacturers involved in parts production for Airbus planes.

In the past seven months, Airbus received orders for 59 aircraft from five Chinese airline companies, accounting for 20 percent of its total orders. China Southern Airlines already ordered five A380 aircraft, the largest one in the world with 555 seats.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2005)