The partnership of China and Europe in aeronautic defense and space cooperation has entered into a new era, said Rainer Hertrich, Chief Executive Officer of European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS).

Hertrich said China signed an order for 23 Airbus A320 family aircraft yesterday, marking a successful year for Airbus and its parent company EADS.

"Our cooperation with China was stable and we vowed to deepen that strategic plan in areas such as research, development, resource allocation, manufacturing, and after-sales service," he said.

He added that EADS signed an agreement with its Chinese counterpart in order to provide a solution for 2008 Beijing Olympics safety system. EADS also planned to build a center to present safeguarding methods in case of big events in Beijing.

EADS' business included commercial aircraft, helicopter and missile.