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The Chinese helicopter industry is taking off. The country will become the largest market in the world during the 21st century, according to a recent survey.

According to the survey, carried out by both Chinese and American experts, China's demand for helicopters is expected to reach 2,000 by 2010 and 10,000 by 2020.

Currently, there are 24,000 helicopters in operation worldwide. The global average is 3.9 helicopters for every one million people, which leaves the most populated country in the world well behind with its present number of 70.

However, due to rapid economic growth, the purchasing power for helicopters in China has increased, making the country a rising market in the world, said Ni Xianping, director of the China Helicopter Design and Research Institute.

Western China will be a huge market for helicopters as the region has complicated landform, changing climate, numerous mountain ranges and undeveloped transportation facilities, Ni said.

Helicopters' uses include passenger and cargo transport, tourism, power grid construction, gas pipeline-laying and overhauling, agriculture and forestry, he added.

Wang Jianqiu, general manager of China Helicopter Co., said the helicopter industry in China is still fledgling and has a long way to go to match the production of developed nations. China must seek active cooperation with other countries and make use of their advanced technology, he said.

In recent years, China has accelerated cooperation with prestigious helicopter manufacturers in other countries under the principle of "co-production and sharing the investment, risk and profits."

The Harbin Aeroplane Industrial Group Co. joined hands with a European helicopter company in producing the EC-120 five-seat helicopter. The Changhe Aeroplane Industrial Group Co. cooperated with a US-based aeroplane company in making the S-92 cargo-transport helicopter.