Jone Rose, chief executive officer of the company, said that China had become a major market for Rolls-Royce over the past decades.

Being a global group company with a business scope covering civil aviation, national defense, shipping and energy, Rolls-Roycestarted its business in China 40 years ago.

To date, Rolls-Royce has provided over 200 engines for eight airline companies in China.

These engines are used in a variety of airplanes including Boeing 757, Boeing 767, ERJ145 and Airbus A320/321 and MD90. The engines for Airbus A340/600 and TU204 purchased by Chinese airlines recently are also products of Rolls-Royce, said Rose.

The company is also the major power system supplier for China'sshipping-building industry.

Over the past few years, the company's shipping business in China has witnessed an average growth rate of 20 percent annually.

Among the products provided for local Chinese shipyards are gasturbines, diesel engines, propelling plants, waterworks and deck machinery.

Rolls-Royce has had a good start in cooperation with China in the field of energy as it recently teamed up with Chinese companies in technological development and the manufacture of gas turbines, Rose said.

The company has also launched a series of personnel training programs in China and set up a number of training centers.

(eastday.com October 26, 2001)