"China is one of the most important civil aviation markets for Boeing," said Wang. "Boeing is very proud of being a long-term and credible friend to China. We hope to carry out wider cooperation with China, in order to achieve a win-win goal."

Boeing's promise to work with China owes to the country's 1.3 billion population, over seven percent economic growth and 15 percent transportation turnover growth.

According to Boeing's prediction, in the next 20 years, China's aviation transportation market will grow by 7.6 percent annually. China will need another 1,900 new planes by then, becoming the second largest aviation market next only to the United States.

One of the world's biggest aviation companies, Boeing has proven itself devoted to developing a beneficial partnership with China. In 1972, China ordered 10 Boeing 707 aircraft, initiating the modern cooperation period with China.

So far, some 406 Boeing aircraft are in service among the mainland's total of 561, occupying 72 percent of the market share.

As one of the pioneers of Sino-US trade relations, Boeing's Chinese side has indicated its cooperation here is more than selling planes.

In the past ten years, Boeing has invested hundreds of millions of US dollars to help China strengthen its aviation infrastructure and has trained over 19,500 aviation professionals.

Since the relationship began in 1970s, Boeing now has cooperative programs in Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shenyang. It also has three joint ventures in Xiamen, Tianjin and Beijing, responsible for plane maintenance, producing complex material and aviation logistics.

Wang said China now has the ability to produce and assemble most complicated aircraft components. China's aviation technicians and huge market demand will enable it to become the most exciting place for future aviation production.

Experts said that, like Boeing, world aviation production giants are attracted to China's market outlook, more open policy and low cost.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2003)