China is expected to manufacture advanced EC120 helicopters in the near future, said a high-ranking official with Hafei Aviation Industry Co on Tuesday.

"It has been approved in principle to let us build a new assembly line to manufacture EC120 helicopters outside France," said Qu Jingwen, general manager of the company.

Qu said the company was discussing the technology and application procedures for airworthiness licences with Euro Copter and China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corporation. A written agreement is expected to be signed by the end of this year and the first aircraft is expected to roll off the production line by the end of 2004.

The EC120 is a five-seater light helicopter. It was designed jointly by France, China and Singapore in 1990.

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