During a recent trip to London, Bank of China's board chairman, Mr. Xiao Gang, expressed strong willingness to work closer with well-established aviation companies based in the UK via various means including forming long-term strategic partnerships. It's understood by CARNOC.com that he held separate meetings with high-profile executives from both British Airways and Rolls-Royce.

On the morning of May 11 (London time), Mr. Xiao Gang met with British Airways' top managers including chairman Mr. Martin Broughton as well as treasurer and head of investor relations Mr. George Stinnes. Mr. Xiao Gang reviewed the past cooperation between Bank of China (UK) and the UK's flagship air carrier while he also expressed wishes to see the bank becoming one of the airline's core financial institutions in the future. After the meeting, two sides signed a cooperation agreement concerning aircraft financing.

Later the same day, Mr. Xiao Gang had a meeting with Rolls-Royce's top executives including chief executive Sir John Rose and deputy group treasurer Mr. Alan Semple. Both sides introduced their current operating conditions, reviewed the past collaboration and discussed the potential for a closer future relationship. In particular, Mr. Xiao Gang was thanked by Rolls-Royce's executives for the bank's past and continuing supports to Xi'an XR Aerocomponents Ltd, a Rolls-Royce's joint venture in China.

Photograph: On behalf of the two sides, the board chairman of Bank of China, Mr. Xiao Gang, and the chairman of British Airways, Mr. Martin Broughton, officially signed a cooperation agreement concerning aircraft financing in London, UK (May 11, 2009).