Russia put its latest aerospace technologies on display Tuesday as the Moscow International Air Show opened to offer visitors a close look at state-of-the-art aircraft and spacecraft from Russia and other countries.

Aerospace companies from some 40 countries gathered at the Zhukovsky airfield just outside Moscow with about 200 aircraft and spacecraft and more than 650 exhibits for display at the biennial event.  

At the invitation of the Russian Federal Space Agency, China's first astronaut Yang Liwei attended the opening ceremony of the show.

Anatoly Perminov, head of the Federal Space Agency, told Xinhua that China is moving fast forward in the aerospace sector and the two countries can boost cooperation in many areas, including developing new manned spacecraft.

Russia showcased its new Sukhoi and MiG fighter jets. The US Air Force flew in its F-15 and F-16 fighter jets and B-1B strategic bomber. French Mirage-2000 fighter jets are also present at the show.

Civilian aircraft on display included Russia's Il-76 transport plane, An-124 passenger plane and Tu-214 passenger-cargo plane, and US aircraft giant Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony of the six-day MAKS-2005 show and watched demonstration flights by Russian military and civilian airplanes.

Putin also played salesman of Russian aircraft at the show and expressed Russia's readiness to cooperate with partners in the sector from around the world.

"This country is known as one of the most advanced in the aerospace industry," Putin said. "Our specialists offer interesting, sometimes simple solutions. But the main thing is that our aircraft are quite affordable," he said.

"We see cooperation with our foreign partners as the future of our aerospace industry," Putin said.

The show, which runs through Sunday, is only open to industry professionals in the first three days, with general public access starting Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2005)