CHINA

Consortium Is Seeking Aircraft Manufacturing Partner: The Chinese and South Korean companies are considering Seattle-based Boeing Co. as a potential partner in their plans to build a 100-passenger aircraft, according to an official report. Business Weekly said the project is valued at $2 billion and represents the first step toward building a Chinese commercial aircraft industry. The decision on a partner is expected to be made by the end of September, the report said, quoting an aviation industry official. A consortium of French, German and British aircraft makers is the other contender, the official said. The aircraft will initially be sold in China and South Korea, and then internationally after a few years, according to the report.