China will need at least 300 helicopters by 2015, and the demand could exceed 1,000 aircraft with the rapid development of China's economy, senior executives from Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer, said on Tuesday.

When attending the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007, which kicked off in Hong Kong on Monday, Olivier Lambert, senior vice-president of Eurocopter, said that Eurocopter's current success in the civil and parapublic sector in China is an excellent jumping board for increased business considering the enormous potential of the Chinese market.

"Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 and the World Expo in Shanghai 2010 are just two events which show China's need for helicopters as a public service tool," he said.

Norbert Ducrot, senior vice president of Eurocopter, said at a press conference that at present, China has a strong will to boost its capacities in public service missions such as homeland security, emergency medical services, emergency and disaster relief, fire fighting, environment monitoring, etc.

During the fourth China International Salvage Conference in South China's Hainan Province recently, the Rescue and Salvage Bureau emphasized the need to boost China's search and rescue capabilities, he said.

The bureau aims to triple its fleet to comprise of 24 helicopters by 2015, he said.

To sustain the growth of such a huge market in China, Eurocopter vouches to work hand in hand with Chinese administrations, private operators and industrial partners throughout their activities, Ducrot said.

Founded in 1992, Eurocopter, a 100 percent subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, is the world's largest helicopter producer, accounting for more than 50 percent of the turbine helicopter fleet in service in Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2007)