Higher orders boost Xi'an Aircraft net

Aircraft maker Xi'an Aircraft International Corp yesterday posted a 312 percent surge in its 2008 net profit, driven by the booming plane-making business as the government pushes to develop its own larger jet.

The Shenzhen-listed firm said its net profit increased to 389 million yuan in 2008, on sales of 9.36 billion yuan.

The company's shares touched the 10-percent daily limit in Shenzhen yesterday to close at 22.2 yuan, extending this year's gain to 78 percent.