空客在天津建组装工厂
Construction began Wednesday on an Airbus facility in north China's Tianjin, where the company's A330 aircraft will be finished off and delivered to clients.
空客在中国北方城市天津的一座工厂周三开工建设，A330飞机将在此组装完毕并交付客户。
The European aircraft manufacturer wants to establish itself in China's booming aviation market, where the company faces fierce competition with its U.S. rival Boeing.
It is the company's first "completion and delivery center" for wide-body aircraft outside Europe. The facility will be responsible for cabin installation, painting and flight tests, Airbus said in a statement.
A330 will be assembled in Toulouse, France, before delivery to Tianjin. The first plane is expected to arrive in the metropolis by the end of 2017.
"This action by Airbus moves it closer to Chinese clients and the Chinese market. It derives from our confidence in China's future development," Eric Chen, president of Airbus China, told Xinhua.