​Boeing opens first 737 plant in China

China Plus/Reuters Published: 2018-12-17 09:34:46
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Models of Boeing passenger airliner are displayed during the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2018, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province.[Photo:AP]

Models of Boeing passenger airliner are displayed during the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2018, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province. [Photo:AP]

It's deemed as a strategic investment aimed at building a sales lead over Airbus in one of the world's top travel markets.

Boeing President and CEO Kevin Mcallister highlights the importance of the Chinese market.

"Clearly, China has and will continue to play a key in Boeing's success. We share a long successful history of cooperation and strong partnership together and we look forward to this continuing partnership for many years to come."

The world's largest planemaker also delivered the first of its top-selling 737s completed at the facility in Zhoushan, about 290 km southeast of Shanghai, to state carrier Air China during a ceremony with top executives from both companies.

The executives, alongside representatives from China's aviation regulator, unveiled the plane at an event attended by hundreds of people.

Vice president Zhao Yuerang of Commercial Aircraft Cooperation of China said the Chinese market will continue to open and offer more opportunities for businesses.

"Reform and openness has been on the rise for 40 years. China has been the second largest civil aircraft market in the world. China has a big appetite for aircrafts. The next 20 years, is an important period of strategy and opportunity for the aviation industry. We, as well as Boeing Company, will focus on providing a safer, more economic, more environmental, more comfortable transportation for the aviation market and human beings."

Boeing and Airbus have been expanding their footprint in China as they vie for orders in the fast-growing aviation market, which is expected to overtake the United States as the world's largest in the next decade.

Chicago-based Boeing said it delivered more than one out of every four jetliners it made last year to customers in China, where it forecasts demand for 7,700 new airplanes over the next 20 years valued at 1.2 trillion US dollars.

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