The China Aviation Industry Corporation I (CAIC I) aims to increase its sales in 2000 to reach13.6 billion yuan, up 10 percent on an annual basis, General Manager Liu Gaozhuo disclosed in Beijing on January 18.

Liu also revealed at a working conference here that the corporation's industrial sales in 1999 hit 12.4 billion yuan, noting that the aviation industry faces great opportunities in the next five years, which the CAIC I should grasp.

One of the country's top 10 military industrial groups, the CAIC I mainly produces warplanes and some civilian aircraft.

Although the international civilian airplane market is mainly occupied by Boeing and Airbus now, and the competition on the regional plane market is also intense, China will stick to developing its own civilian aircraft, especially regional planes having a good market prospect in the next two decades, said Liu.

The aviation expert added that the CAIC I should work to expand exports amid the positive international trade environment that will be present after China joins the WTO.