ZHUHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The sixth Airshow China concluded Sunday in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, with 3 billion U.S. dollars worth of contracts and letters of intent signed.

Russian attendants smile during the Air Show China 2006, in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 5, 2006. The exhibition opened on October 30, and ended Sunday.  (Xinhua Photo)

    The seven-day event witnessed participation of about 550 space and aviation companies from 33 countries and regions, occupying an exhibition area of 17,000 square meters. Fifty-two varieties of aircraft were on display, according to a source with the show's organizing committee.

    Fifteen contracts and letters of intent were signed, valued at 3 billion U.S. dollars and involving deals on 98 aircraft, the source said.

    China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. signed contracts on three satellites and three rocket launchers with China Satellite Communications Corp. and Sino Satellite Communications Co., Ltd., involving 2 billion yuan (253 million U.S. dollars).

    AVIC One (The China Aviation Industry Corporation One) Xi'an Aeroengine (Group) Ltd. in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, inked deals with SNECMA Moteurs France on cooperation in production of aircraft engines and parts, worth 177 million U.S. dollars.

    The aeroengine company under Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Ltd., also based in Xi'an, signed a memorandum of understanding on long-term cooperation with U.S.-based GE on products worth 140 million U.S. dollars.

    Meanwhile, Shanghai Airlines and Airbus signed a contract on five A321 aircraft. Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Ltd. inked a framework agreement with Okay Airlines, a short-haul carrier based in Tianjin, north China, on 30 domestically-made Xinzhou-60 planes. A contract was signed on another 30 Xinzhou-60s between the Xi'an company and China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corp.

    The seventh Airshow China is due to be held in Zhuhai from Nov.4 to 9, 2008, the source said.

A visitor takes photos of Chinese flight attendants during the Air Show China 2006, in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 5, 2006. The exhibition opened on October 30, and ended Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)