Russia Eyes Deeper Aerospace Cooperation with China

Russian firms and research institutions at the Aviation Expo in Beijing were keen to work more closely with China on aerospace projects.

An agreement will be signed between the two governments by the end of this year on the development of long-range wide-bodied airliners, said Yury Slyusar, president of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Russia's largestaircraft maker.

The Russian company plans to sell 100 aircraft in China and Southeast Asia in the next three years.

Russia will most likely work with China on aero-engines, said Vladimir Palkin, assistant of general director with Central Institute of Aviation Motors, Russia's only research body for on aviation motors.

Both countries need to develop aero-engines to fill gaps in their aviation industry, Palkin said.

One of the exhibitors wants to sell its heavy rocket engines in China.

"If the two governments come to an agreement, our company will be a good partner, since Russian engines lead the world in efficiency, reliability and environmental protection," said Vladimir Sudakov, information department chief with NPO Energomash.

Russia is the world's top nation in spacecraft launches.

According to an agreement signed in May, China and Russia will work closely together in aviation, with priorities of rocket motors, electronic components, satellite navigation, Earth observation, lunar research and deep-space exploration.