BEIJING: The maker of China's new stealth fighter plans to team up with a small California firm for what would seem like mission impossible: bidding for US defense contracts, a report said Friday. China Aviation Industry Corp, or AVIC, is in talks with US Aerospace Inc. about joining forces to seek contracts for projects that could include supplying helicopters used by the US president, the Wall Street Journal said. The report quoted unidentified sources close to the discussions. The idea appears far-fetched. Previous Chinese moves to enter strategic US sectors have been thwarted after arousing intense political opposition. That is sure to occur if any Chinese involvement in the defense industry is suggested, especially given growing US concern about China's expanding armed forces. A prototype of China's first stealth fighter – the AVIC-produced J-20 – made its maiden flight last month, shocking observers and underlining the rapid development of China's military capability. – Agence France
