BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Four Chinese airline companies signed a purchasing contract for 42 Boeing aircraft Monday, worth of 5.04 billion US dollars.

    Air China will buy 15, China Eastern 15, Shanghai Airlines 9, and Xiamen Airlines 3.

    The contract is an important step for Chinese and American companies to introduce new model aircraft, and shows a promising future of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, said Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister of National Development and Reform Commission.

    He noted that China is the largest developing nation and its economic growth calls for rapid aviation growth. Last year, the growth rate of China's passenger volume reached 36 percent, and will remain a two-digital growth in the next few years. China will become the second largest civil aircraft market in the world.

    Boeing's new model 787 aircraft will be put into use in China and play a more important role in China's market. In the next few years, China will introduce more aircraft, said Li Jun, vice minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.     

    Two and a half years ago, Boeing approached Chinese airlines with a proposal to help design and launch a new, revolutionary, technologically advanced, fuel efficient jet airplane. Beginning in 2008 China will have the airplane with outstanding passenger appeal and operating economics, ideal for point-to-point passengers. Enditem