The sixth Airshow China concluded yesterday in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, with 3 billion US dollars worth of contracts and letters of intent signed.

The seven-day event witnessed participation of about 550 space and aviation companies from 33 countries and regions, occupying an exhibition area of 17,000 square meters. Fifty-two varieties of aircraft were on display, according to a source with the show's organizing committee.

Fifteen contracts and letters of intent were signed, valued at 3 billion US dollars and involving deals on 98 aircraft, the source said.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp signed contracts on three satellites and three rocket launchers with China Satellite Communications Corp and Sino Satellite Communications Co Ltd, involving 2 billion yuan (253 million US dollars).

AVIC One (The China Aviation Industry Corporation One) Xi'an Aeroengine (Group) Ltd in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, inked deals with SNECMA Moteurs France on cooperation in production of aircraft engines and parts worth 177 million US dollars.

The aeroengine company under Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Ltd, also based in Xi'an, signed a memorandum of understanding on long-term cooperation with US-based GE on products worth 140 million US dollars.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Airlines and Airbus signed a contract on five A321 aircraft. Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Ltd inked a framework agreement with Okay Airlines, a short-haul carrier based in Tianjin, North China, on 30 domestically-made Xinzhou-60 planes. A contract was signed on another 30 Xinzhou-60s between the Xi'an company and China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corp.

The seventh Airshow China is due to be held in Zhuhai from November 4 to 9 of 2008, the source said.

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