Business

A model of the Jian-10 (Fighter-10), China’s homemade fighter aircraft, is seen at the exhibition hall during the 7th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2008. Jian-10 is shown on the exhibition which is held from Nov. 4 to Nov. 9.

The 7th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, concluded Sunday with deals of 102 aircraft inked, the organizer said.

Some US$4 billion worth of deals were signed at the six-day event held in the coastal city of Zhuhai in south China’s Guangdong Province, a spokesman with Airshow China’s Organizing Committee said.

Among the deals, the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) will sell 25 ARJ21-700 regional jets to GE Commercial Aviation Services of the United States. The deal is valued at 5 billion yuan (US$733 million). The first jet will be delivered in 2013, with one per month thereafter.

COMAC Board Chairman Zhang Qingwei said it was the first time Chinese-developed and manufactured regional jets have entered Western airline markets.

Some 600 aviation businesses from 35 countries and regions attended the largest show of its kind in China, with more than 60 aircraft being exhibited.

The event marked the maiden show of China’s home-built J-10 fighter and FBC-1 fighter bomber.

The 8th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from Nov. 16 to 21 in 2010, the organizer said.

Aircrafts of the Suryakirans (Sun Rays), the aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force, perform during the 7th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 4, 2008. The six-day exhibition opened on Tuesday with about 600 aviation and aerospace manufacturers from 35 countries and regions attending.

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2008)