Airbus Beijing Engineering Centre was inaugurated by Dr. Gustav Humbert, president and CEO of Airbus, in the presence of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, during his state visit to China Thursday in Beijing.

The opening of Airbus Beijing Engineering Centre,fully demonstrates Airbus' commitment to the long-term development of the Chinese aviation industry. It also marked the beginning of a new phase of the close industrial partnership that has existed for the past two decades between China and Airbus.

Zapatero said Airbus is a successful cooperation model of Spain, United Kingdom, France and Germany. Its business in China has strategic meaning.

"I am very pleased to choose China as my first overseas trip since I became the President and CEO of Airbus. China is a very important and strategic part of Airbus' global picture. Airbus highly values cooperation with the Chinese aviation industry," said Gustav Humbert, president and CEO of Airbus on the occasion of the inaugural.

With the help of Airbus Beijing Engineering Centre, Airbus will allocate up to five per cent work share to China in the A350 programme. The centre will also help China to train more engineers of world-class standards. The first group of engineers has already finished their training programme in Europe and started working in the centre. According to ramp-up plans, the number of engineers employed by the centre is to increase to 50 by the end of this year, and to 200 by 2008.

With a view to China becoming a full risk-sharing partner in a future Airbus program for new generation aircraft, Airbus Beijing Engineering Centre will play a key and unique role in developing even a closer relationship between Airbus and the Chinese aviation industry. A risk-sharing partner takes complete responsibility for a part of a programme, from design to manufacturing, including the corresponding investment and profit sharing.

Source: Xinhua