AERONAUTICAL researchers from China and the European Union (EU) will expand cooperation in the helicopter manufacturing sector.

　　During a two-day workshop, European specialists also decided to share some of the latest research results involving aeronautical materials with their Chinese counterparts, China Daily reported yesterday.

　　Jack Metthey, director of the EU's Research Directorate-General, who co-chaired the workshop, was quoted by the English language newspaper as saying the exchanges would benefit aeronautical research being conducted by both sides.

　　"In the aeronautical materials and manufacturing fields, European Union researchers have apparent technology advantages and we would like to share them with Chinese counterparts," Metthey said.

　　"The workshop was important because we now have a means to regularly communicate with each other," he said.

　　Once researchers started communicating they often found research fields that interested both sides and began to cooperate, he said.

　　Sensitive topics such as the development and manufacturing of aircraft received close attention from industry insiders at the workshop.

　　Metthey said building its own aircraft was very important for China, a country with a huge territory and population.

　　(Xinhua)