US aviation giant Boeing yesterday announced agreements with Chinese suppliers for the production of commercial aircraft parts and components, including the first firm contracts with Chinese suppliers to build parts for the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Passenger and Freighter aircraft.

The contracts are valued at an estimated US$500 million and include the 747-8 inboard wing flaps with Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Company Ltd, and ailerons and spoilers with Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co Ltd, both linked to China Aviation Industry Corporation I.

Also signed were contracts for composite parts to be built by Hafei Aviation Industry Co Ltd, an AVIC II-affiliated company, and composite panels for the vertical fin to be built by BHA Aero Composites Co Ltd, an equity joint venture between Boeing, Hexcel Corp and AVIC I.

"These contracts demonstrate Boeing's commitment to continued expansion of industrial cooperation with China. China's outstanding technological capabilities and resources make these suppliers ideal partners for the Boeing 787 and the 747-8, which offer airlines the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large passenger or freighter aircraft," said Carolyn Corvi, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president and general manager of Airplane Programs.

"We are honored to help Boeing build the 747-8 as it opens a new page for the long-term Boeing-XAC partnership," said Meng Xiangkai, vice chairman of Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Company Ltd.

Boeing, which began industrial cooperation with China in the mid-1970s, and Boeing suppliers hold contracts totaling US$2.5 billion with China's aviation industry.