China, EU strengthen air cooperation

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 ◆ China, EU strengthen air cooperation

Aeronautic researchers from China and the European Union (EU) are to expand their cooperation in the helicopter manufacturing sector, Beijing based China Daily reported recently.

During a two-day workshop, European specialists also decided to share some of their latest research results about aeronautical materials with their Chinese counterparts, the report said.

Jack Metthey, director of the EU's Research Directorate-General, who co-chaired the workshop, was quoted by the English-language newspaper as saying the exchanges will benefit the aeronautical research being conducted by both sides.

"In the aeronautical materials and manufacturing fields, European Union researchers have apparent technology advantages and we would like to share them with Chinese counterparts," Metthey said.

"The workshop was important because we now have a means to regularly communicate with each other," he said, adding that once researchers start communicating they often find research fields that interest both sides and begin to cooperate.

Sensitive topics like the development and manufacturing of planes received heavy attention from industry insiders at the workshop.

Metthey said building its own plane is very important for China, a country with a huge territory and population.