During a two-day workshop, European specialists also decided to share some of their latest research results about aeronautical materials with their Chinese counterparts.

Jack Metthey, director of the EU's Research Directorate-General, who co-chaired the workshop, said the exchanges would benefit the aeronautical research being conducted by both sides.

"In the aeronautical materials and manufacturing fields, European Union researchers have apparent technology advantages and we would like to share them with our Chinese partners," Metthey said.

He said the workshop was the first time researchers from both sides had gathered to discuss aspects of co-operation, so it is hard to talk about the specifics of future joint actions. "The workshop was important because we now have a means to regularly communicate with each other," Metthey said. He also said once researchers start communicating they often find research fields that interest both sides and begin to co-operate.

Sensitive topics like the development and manufacturing of planes received heavy attention from industry insiders at the workshop.

Officials from China Aviation Industry Corporation I and II, the country's two major aircraft manufacturers, made presentations at the weekend.

Metthey said building its own plane is very important for China, a country with a huge territory and population.

(China Daily September 16, 2002)