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Leading Chinese and French aviation companies yesterday signed a contract in Beijing, possibly clearing the skies for French business jets to fly into China.
Under the contract, the Chinese AVIC I will produce parts for 350 Falcon 2000EX business jets for Dassault Aviation, the world's largest business jet producer.
The Chinese-made parts will be delivered to Dassault next May, said Dassault Aviation Chairman Charles Edelstenne.
With the company's first ever deal with China finalized, Edelstenne said he is looking forward to selling business jets to Chinese companies.
"We haven't sold any business jets to China yet - we're just beginning," he said. "Little by little we'll increase co-operation with Chinese companies, and have our best-sellers (2000EX) serve Chinese businesses."
Liu Gaozuo, president of the AVIC I, said it could be a long time for Dassault business jets to fly to China.
"Our current co-operation just focuses on making some parts, and we do not rule out the possibility of making the whole Falcon 2000EX planes in China if the market expands here," he said.
To sell business jets to China, Dassault will have to talk and co-operate with civil aviation companies and find customers in China, he said.
Although now being used only by very few big Chinese companies like Hai'er and Chunlan, business jets represent an emerging market in China, Liu said.
(China Daily March 20, 2002)
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