Boeing in China

[Ulhas Joglekar]

[ People's Daily Online]

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Boeing Enjoys Long-time, Growing Friendship with China

The rapid development of China's aviation industry will provide more
opportunities for Boeing, said David Wang, president of Boeing China, in a
recent interview with Xinhua.

"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.

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