Construction of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co. Ltd., a Sino-German aeroengine repairing company, broke ground recently in the bonded area of Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province.
MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co. Ltd is a joint venture between MTU, the largest engine maker in Germany, and China Southern Airlines, one of China's major airways. The joint venture requires a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan (US$181 million), which is equally shared by both partners.
The joint venture will cover an area of 160,000 sq m and will have buildings with a combined floor space of 33,000 sq m. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2002 and by then, the joint venture will be able to repair 150 engines annually.
Yan Zhiqing, chairman of the board with China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., claimed that construction of the joint venture meet the demand of his company's development and in turn help to lower his company's cost as the joint venture will be able to offer aeroengine repair services to Chinese customers and customers in Southeast Asia at internationally competitive prices.
(xinhua 05/31/2001)