High-ranking officials from European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) said on Mar. 8 that they will reach agreement this summer for transferring Airbus A320 assembly line to China.

The top monthly output will be four planes once the assembly line goes into operation.

The Paris-based EADS is Europe's largest and the world's second largest aeronautic defence and space company and its affiliates include Airbus, Eurocopter SEA, Arianespace and other famous civil aeronautic and astronautic enterprises and military industry enterprises.

In his speech at the annual conference, Dr. Thomas Enders, a chief executive officer (CEO) of EADS said that they have signed a cooperation framework agreement with China concerning the transfer of the Airbus assembly line, and negotiation regarding details of the project is now going smoothly, including the selection of site, supply of parts, transference and protection of techniques. It is estimated that the two sides can reach an agreement this summer.

Enders noted that apart from this project, China will also take part in the design and manufacture of A350 jet. Airbus established "Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Centre" in Beijing last year, undertaking the mission of design and construction for the project.

Noel Forgeard, another CEO from EADS said that China will be given more and more tasks for the design and manufacturing of Airbus' A350 jet.

Additionally, one of EADS' affiliate Eurocopter SEA will keep long-term good relationship with the related departments in China. It is reported that the two sides just signed a cooperation deal, co-developing the advanced heavy-lifter EC-175. The cooperation between the two demonstrated that Chinese market has great attraction for the European helicopter maker and the Sino-Europe space cooperation has been further intensified.

By People's Daily Online