The People's Daily today quotes Airbus China President Laurence Barron that Airbus would deliver a record number of planes to China this year.

Mr. Barron said that 2005 was Airbus' best time ever in China. It will deliver 65 planes to China which is one-sixth of its global delivery due this year. Airbus expects to deliver 78 planes to China in 2006, an increase of 20 percent over this year.

On Oct. 27, the 100th Airbus plane was delivered to China and joined the Eastern Airlines fleet to mark Airbus' 20-year venture in China. China had the first A310 in 1985. Airbus now has 34 percent of Chinese market share and 315 Airbus planes are in service in China.

Mr. Barron proposed a comprehensive partnership with China. The collaborative project for A320 wings which will enable China to master the technology in 2007 represents an important commitment by Airbus on technological transfer to China.

In addition, China will share 10 percent of Airbus projects in the future. And Airbus will set up its second China-based technical support center in Shanghai next year in 2006 to expand the capacity of its components support center and training center.

By People's Daily Online