Boeing's China deal nearing completion

China is to confirm its oral agreement to buy 80 Boeing 737 aircraft in addition to a 70-plane order sealed in November, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Larry Dickenson, senior vice president for Boeing's Asia Pacific division. Contracts have been signed and deposits paid for the first 70 aircraft, and the deal for the remaining 80 may well be sealed during President Hu Jintao's trip to Washington in April, Dickenson said. The full 150-plane deal is valued at US$8.6 billion, but Beijing is likely to have secured a discount on such a large order.