BEIJING, Oct. 26 (AP) -- China signed an order Thursday for 150 mid-size Airbus planes, the European aircraft maker's chief executive officer said.

The order was one of a number agreements signed at the start of French President Jacques Chirac's state visit to China.

Airbus CEO Louis Gallois told reporters that the ordered planes would be assembled in China and delivered between 2009 and 2012.

No monetary value was given for the order, nor were details released about which Chinese airlines would receive the planes.

But the deal represents a boost for Airbus in the fast-growing China market at a time when the company is struggling over management changes, cost-cuttings and delays to its A380 super-jumbo jet project.