The first group of 15 Chinese engineers, recruited by Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Center (ECAC) in May 2005, will start the design work for the all-new Airbus A350 this month after completing their nine-month training course in Europe.

The 15 engineers are all from China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II), a key Chinese aviation manufacturer.

"I would like to convey my sincere congratulations to these Chinese engineers on the completion of their training courses in Europe and the remarkable progress they have achieved. They gained respect and high praise from Airbus experts through their hard study and professionalism," said Laurence Barron, Airbus Senior Vice-President and Airbus China President.

"I'm pleased to see they are to participate in the design work for the A350 in ECAC soon, which also marks the start of the Engineer Centre entering into a new phase of development since its formal inauguration in July 2005."

By the end of 2005, 59 Chinese engineers have joined ECAC, including graduates from Chinese Universities, engineers from major Chinese aviation manufacturers as well as some overseas graduates and those qualified members recruited from the market directly.

They have been divided into four groups to receive the basic and technical training in Europe.

The other 44 Chinese engineers will continue to take the same training courses in Europe, which includes three-month basic and technical training in Toulouse, France, the headquarters of Airbus, followed by a six-month stint at relevant Airbus sites in France, Germany and Spain.

Airbus Vice-President and Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Center General Manager Jose Cataluna-Casanova said: "This year we plan to recruit 100 more Chinese engineers. The number of Chinese engineers will reach 150 in 2006 and increase to 200 by the end of 2007."

The Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Center is located in the Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone, adjacent to the office building of Airbus China.

With the creation of the engineering center, Airbus offers the Chinese aviation industry participation in the A350 programme of up to 5 per cent of the airframe, which includes both design and manufacturing.

The design side will be performed by the Engineering Center and the manufacture of the corresponding parts and components will be the responsibility of the Chinese aviation manufacturers, mainly AVIC I and AVIC II.

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