China has so far signed bilateral aviation agreements with 22 European Union member nations, according to the source from the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).

China has established good aviation cooperation with European nations, since the first Sino-French aviation agreement in 1966. Up to date, there are 226 passenger flights and 60 cargo flights between ten Chinese cities and 15 European cities of 13 EU member nations.

In terms of technological cooperation, Chinese airline companies have ordered or leased 316 Airbus aircraft by the end of May. From 1999, both China and EU jointly held technological development project, involving flight safety standard, production management, customer assistance and air traffic control.

China and EU will further enhance aviation cooperation, in order to promote Sino-European economic and trade relations, said Gao Hongfeng, deputy director of CAAC.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2005)