China's vice premier Zhang Dejiang called on forming closer cooperation between Airbus and Chinese airline companies, China's official media Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday.

China is willing to seek further cooperation opportunities with Airbus in sectors including purchase, industrial subcontracting, research and development, etc, Zhang said at a meeting with Tom Enders, Airbus president and CEO.

Airbus, owned by European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co, targets to raise its market share in China from current 38% to 50% by 2011.

China has set up its own jumbo-jet manufacturing company China Commercial Aircraft Co Ltd earlier this month to realize its dream of making large planes by itself. However, the setting-up of the company won't impose any significant impact on international titans like Airbus and Boeing as there is still a long way to go before entering the producing stage and the market demand in China is robust enough, according to Jin Zhuanglong, general manager of the aircraft manufacturer.