China signs US$1.3b deals with UK firms
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-09 01:50

Elsewhere, China Aviation Industry Corporation 1 (AVIC-1) signed a 500-million-dollar deal to build wing boxes for Airbus, the European aircraft maker.

The deal was an extension of a co-operation agreement signed earlier this year to start A320 wing assembly in China.

Arup's partnership agreement with SIIC meanwhile expands on its August contract to develop the world's first sustainable city, Dongtan, in China.

The new agreement sees Arup and SIIC partner on the development of two further sustainable cities. Dongtan Eco-City will initially house 20,000 people, and the 88 square kilometre site would be ready in time for the Shanghai Expo 2010, Downing Street said.

"SIIC and Arup are committed to making the project eco-friendly from the outset, implementing a solution to offset carbon emissions directly from the planning stage," a statement said.

In talks Wednesday Blair and Hu discussed trade, global security and climate change. Hu, on the second day of his official state visit to Britain, was greeted by Blair in Downing Street at about 2:00 pm (1400 GMT).