"We discussed with colleagues relevant issues concerning the project to develop a heavy helicopter. We have already reached a consensus on the majority of them and agreed to accelerate the negotiation process on the remaining issues," Miao told reporters after the meeting.
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According to the minister, China and Russia "exchanged views on cooperation in civil aviation and discussed issues concerning further promotion" of the joint project of building a wide-body long-range passenger aircraft, named CR929.
The sides also set out their ideas and concrete proposals on further cooperation in development of aircraft engines, Miao added.
Back in May 2016, the Russian Helicopters, part of the state corporation Rostec, and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) signed a framework cooperation agreement on development of an advanced heavy-lift helicopter with maximum take-off weight of 38.2 tonnes.
The CR929 aircraft project was developed by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). Its cost is estimated at $13-20 billion, while the jet is expected to be put into commercial production between 2025 and 2027. The sides are planning for the jumbo jet to have a capacity of 250 to 300 passengers which will be able to rival other leading aircraft manufacturers — Airbus and Boeing — and occupy an essential market share not only in Russia and China, but in other countries as well.
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Russia is ready to provide export assistance to all joint industrial projects implemented in Russia with Chinese participation, Manturov said.
Earlier in the day, Manturov and Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei met for the third meeting of the Russian-Chinese subcommittee on industrial cooperation
"In the context of development of cooperation between our two countries, I would like to stress that we are ready to provide complex export support in promoting the jointly manufactured products to all industrial projects implemented in Russia with the participation of capital from China," Manturov said during the meeting.
The minister expressed belief that Russian companies and their Chinese partners would seize this opportunity to step up exports which would, in turn, accelerate the development of high-tech processing industries and diversification of the respective economies.
Manturov also praised mutual trade growth, noting that there were all prerequisites for bilateral trade to surpass $100 billion.
Russia Plans to Organize Construction Materials Production in Syria
Russia plans to organize production of construction materials in Syria, which would be used in the local market, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Friday.
"We have been cooperating with Syria for a long time to supply road construction equipment there. Building materials are the first thing which will go to Syria for reconstruction. [Russia plans] to organize the production of construction products and materials for use in the local market," Manturov told reporters.
Over the past years, Syrian government forces regained control over vast territories once controlled by terrorists. The local authorities are currently engaged in rebuilding the country as thousands of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returning to their homes.
Moscow has been actively supporting the Syrian authorities' humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.