TIANJIN: The aviation and space sectors are set to become the pillar industries of Tianjin, with a host of new projects in the pipeline, a local official said.

"Some new projects are under discussion and negotiations between Tianjin and potential partners within the aviation segment have started," said Tony Xu, vice-president of Tianjin Binhai New Area Administrative Committee.

Tianjin is attracting more high-end aviation and space projects with sound infrastructure, flexible policies and support from the central government.

The construction of China's new-generation launch vehicle or the rocket carrier industrialization base, a key industrial project, is going on in full swing in Tianjin.

Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), the country's leading aircraft manufacturer, is setting up a helicopter company in Tianjin jointly with the local government.

Two helicopters are expected to roll out from the Tianjin facility this year, Xu said.

In addition, seven Airbus A320 jetliners are currently being assembled in Tianjin, with 11 scheduled for roll out this year, Ren Xuefeng, vice-mayor of Tianjin, said.

To attract more similar high-end projects to Tianjin, the municipality is planning to host a high-profile international aviation and space exhibition, known as Aeromart Tianjin 2009, next week.

The exhibition scheduled to be held from April 20 to 24 at the International Convention and Exhibition Center of the Binhai New Area is expected to attract around 336 participants, with 203 companies from home and 133 from abroad, said Xu.

"The exhibition will serve as a high-end platform for enterprises within this area to forge potential partnerships," he said.

The Tianjin municipal government, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Business Conventions International (BCI) of France are jointly sponsoring the exhibition.

Prominent exhibitors include Airbus, Boeing and AVIC. Delegations from 12 nations, including France, Germany, the US and Canada, are also expected to attend the show.

Aeromart was initiated by BCI and has been successfully held in France for 12 years. Aeromart Beijing 2007 was the first time China hosted the event and it attracted participation from more than 160 aerospace and aviation enterprises worldwide.

(China Daily 04/18/2009 page10)