(Xinhua) 14:14, September 23, 2015
The photo shows the scene of the cooperation signing ceremony of Boeing and China Civil Aviation. [photo: cnr.cn] |
SEATTLE, United States, Sept. 22 –A group of Chinese companies signed here Tuesday adeal with U.S. plane maker Boeing to buy 300 Boeing aircraft.
The deal, signed by China Aviation Supplies Holding Company, ICBC Financial LeasingCo., Ltd., and China Development Bank Leasing with Boeing, was reached during ChinesePresident Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the United States which was kicked off on Tuesdaymorning.
Meanwhile, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. also signed a cooperativedocument with Boeing to build a 737 aircraft completion center in China.
Earlier media reports, citing Boeing sources, said this will be the company’s first non-U.S.airliner plant, tasked with the completion and handover of single-aisle 737 jets tocustomers.
Chinese sources told Xinhua that the project, in the form of a mutually-funded jointventure, signifies that China-U.S. cooperation in aviation has reached a higher level.
It will also upgrade relevant Chinese enterprises as Boeing’s tier-one suppliers, the sourcessaid.
Also on Tuesday, the National Development and Reform Commission of China inked aMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. plane maker on the promotion ofcomprehensive strategic cooperation in the civil aviation industry.
According to the MOU, in the next five years till 2020, the two sides will enhanceindustrial cooperation, expand scale of production, jointly develop “green aviationtechnologies,” and develop world-class air transportation systems together.
In addition, Boeing has agreed to authorize the Aviation Industry Corporation of China toincrease its production of Boeing 747-8 plane parts.
With industry experts predicting continued rapid growth through 2020 for China’s airtransportation market, Boeing is vying against other major aircraft manufacturers such asthe Europe-based Airbus Group for a bigger share of the Chinese orders.
The visiting Chinese president, who has a very tight schedule for his stay in Seattle beforeheading to Washington D.C., will tour Boeing’s largest factory in Everett on Wednesday.