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Premier praises China-France cooperation in aviation

Updated: Jul 3,2015 11:08 AM     english.gov.cn

Premier Li Keqiang visits the headquarters of aircraft maker Airbus in Toulouse, France, on July 2.

Premier Li Keqiang said cooperation in the fields of aviation and aerospace has become the model of practical cooperation between China and France, and the whole of Europe.

The Premier made the comments on July 2 when he visited the headquarters of Airbus, in Toulouse, France, accompanied by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

Such cooperation is not simply a “kind of buyer-seller relationship”, but the “strategic complementation of the two countries’ respective advantages”, Premier Li said, adding that there will be more potential for mutually beneficial cooperation as the “Made in China 2025” strategy is implemented.

Premier Li and his French counterpart boarded a helicopter jointly developed and produced by companies in both countries, and Premier Li asked about the helicopter’s technical characteristics and performance.

An Airbus representative told him that half of the parts of the helicopter were manufactured by Chinese enterprises.

After exchanging views on the prospects of China-France aviation cooperation, the leaders also witnessed the signing of several cooperative agreements, including a deal to set up an A330 completion and delivery center in Tianjin, China.

This will be Airbus’ first cooperation project concerning wide-body aircraft outside of Europe.

The Premier called for efforts from both sides to “build Tianjin into the Asia centre of Airbus by taking full advantage of the location of this completion and delivery center. “

During Premier Li’s visit to France, the two countries issued a joint statement on jointly exploring third-country markets - encouraging Chinese and French companies to strengthen cooperation in third-party markets by utilizing their respective advantages in production, technology and capital.