Aeronautic researchers from China and the European Union (EU) will
expand their co-operation in the helicopter manufacturing sector,
it was agreed at the weekend.
During a two-day workshop, European specialists also decided to
share some of their latest research results about aeronautical
materials with their Chinese counterparts.
Jack Metthey, director of the EU's Research Directorate-General,
who co-chaired the workshop, said 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 our Chinese partners," Metthey said.
He
said the workshop was the first time researchers from both sides
had gathered to discuss aspects of co-operation, so it is hard to
talk about the specifics of future joint actions. "The workshop was
important because we now have a means to regularly communicate with
each other," Metthey said. He also said once researchers start
communicating they often find research fields that interest both
sides and begin to co-operate.
Sensitive topics like the development and manufacturing of planes
received heavy attention from industry insiders at the
workshop.
Officials from China Aviation Industry Corporation I and II, the
country's two major aircraft manufacturers, made presentations at
the weekend.
Metthey said building its own plane is very important for China, a
country with a huge territory and population.
(China
Daily September 16, 2002)