*EPF220 10/02/01
Text: Secretary Evans Says Plane Contract Will Help U.S.-China Ties
(Four Chinese airlines to purchase Boeing 737 jetliners) (240)

Following is the text of an October 2 Commerce Department press release on a purchase agreement between The Boeing Company and four Chinese airline companies:

(begin text)

U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans
Witnesses Signing of a Purchase Agreement
Between Boeing and Various Chinese Airlines

October 2, 2001

Washington, DC

Commerce Secretary Don Evans today witnessed a $1.6 billion General Purchase Agreement between The Boeing Company and Chinese officials. The agreement was for 30 Boeing 737 jetliners.

"This $1.6 billion agreement brings our two countries a little closer. The spin-off benefits for both our countries include the creation of new jobs and new opportunities in the airline manufacturing sectors," said Evans.

The aircraft will be delivered to China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines.

Joining Secretary Evans in the ceremony were Vice Chairman Zhang Guobao of China's State Development Planning Commission (SDPC), Mr. Bai Zhi Jian, President of the China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Corporation, Alan Mulally, the President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Ambassador Yang Jiechi, China's Ambassador to the United States, members of Congress, and representatives from the four Chinese airline companies.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
NNNN