China is of critical importance to Boeing's performance in the global commercial aircraft market. Boeing delivered a record high of 202 new aircraft to China in 2017, representing its sixth consecutive year of more than 140 deliveries to the country. 

Boeing's global deliveries of commercial aircraft reached 763 in 2017, with those to China making up 26 percent. 

China's civil aviation industry saw air passenger volume reach 552 million in 2017, a 13 percent increase year-on-year, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). 

By the end of 2017, there were 58 airlines in China offering services on 4,418 air routes. The country's civil aviation fleet reached 3,296 aircraft. 

"Boeing is greatly honored in witnessing and supporting China's aviation growth. We have been in cooperation with China for 46 years and have built a creative strategic partnership of win-win cooperation," said Bruns, adding that Boeing will continue to deepen and facilitate cooperation with China.