China Eastern Airlines said yesterday it valued its new order of 20 Airbus jets at US$3.4 billion.

The A330-300s will be delivered to China's third-largest airline between 2006 and 2008.

Airbus officials were among French business executives to accompany President Jacques Chirac on a five-day visit to China aimed at improving trade links between tech countries.

Airbus also won orders from Air China for six A319 jets.