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European aircraft maker Airbus has subcontracted a state-owned Chinese manufacturer to make parts for its super-jumbo A380 plane in a deal worth 100 million dollars, the company said.

China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) will make panels for A380 nose landing gear in terms of a deal signed Saturday in Paris during a visit by Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, Airbus said in a statement on its website.

"This has been the first time for Airbus to involve China in producing A380 components," the statement said. The A380 aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2006.

China 's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, affiliated with AVIC I, will be also subcontracted to make A330/A340 forward cargo door projects, it said.

Five Chinese companies are now making parts for Boeing, the statement said.

"Airbus is not only selling aircraft in China , but also committed to the long-term development of China 's aviation industry," Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard said.

On Friday in Paris, Airbus signed a deal with China Eastern Airlines for the sale of 20 A330-300 long-range planes for about two billion dollars.

The order was accompanied by a letter of intent to purchase 10 additional planes of the same type by another Chinese company that has yet to be named.

On Thursday Airbus rival Boeing signed a contract with two Chinese manufacturers for the supply of components for its new 7E7 Dreamliner jet.

The US company is also pushing to secure a lucrative slice of the burgeoning Chinese market.