China's lightweight helicopter industry is expected to soar with the country's entry into the World Trade Organization, reported November 28's China Daily.

The newspaper cited Wang Jianqiu, general manager of China National Helicopter Corp, as saying that China's accession to the WTO will create a more favorable environment for the industry, which has developed soundly during recent decades.

He said that China is creating a new plan for the helicopter industry's development, which is expected to rely on expanded co- operation with foreign firms.

China's helicopter industry is relatively backward, because it began late when compared to developed countries, Wang said. China has produced about 500 Z-5 models and is producing other types of Z-series models, including its Z-11.

The country also formed a high-level research team, in charge of designing and manufacturing new models.

"The country is now capable of producing 150 models a year, while the demand for non-military purposes is nearly zero," he said.

He expects the use for non-military purposes will increase dramatically following China's WTO entry.

China has maintained close relations with foreign helicopter companies. It has, together with France and Singapore, jointly developed the EC120 helicopter beginning in 1992, he said.

The newspaper also quoted its source with China National Aero- technolgoical Import and Export Corp. as saying that the EC120 program was the first project during which China shared investment and other risks with foreign partners in helicopter production. (Xinhua)