Airbus says ready to form partnership to develop China's aviation industry

BEIJING (AFX-ASIA) - Airbus Industrie is ready to form a partnership with China to help the country develop its own aviation industry and bring it up to international standards, Airbus chief executive officer Noel Forgeard said.

	    Speaking at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Foregeard said Airbus will help China "get the technology it needs through a long-term 

partnership".

	    He added that this will be a "win-win, respectful relationship between equals -- China and Europe".

	    Airbus has already contracted out manufacturing to Chinese companies and intends to expand the scope of cooperation in the future, particularly with 

regard to the manufacture of key components for its single-aisle aircraft, he said.

	    "We strongly support the legitimate conviction of China to establish itself as a power in the aerospace industry. Your aircraft will be the second 

largest in the world in 20 years' time.

	    "As a growing power with a rising international standard, China deserves its place in the international aviation industry," he said.

	    He added that Europe has learned the hard way that multi-polarity is a necessity for peace and healthy competition.

	    "In our view, multi-polarity does not mean bi-polar. It does not mean Europe and America. It means real multi-polarity," he said.

	    Airbus has estimated that China will need a total of 1,570 new passenger aircraft and 26 new freight aircraft, worth some 149 bln usd, over the next 20 years.

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