The Lingang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone signed a strategic cooperation agreement that includes seven projects with total investment exceeding 22 billion yuan (US$3.28 billion), with China Eastern Airlines Co on Wednesday to promote and optimize the overall layout of the aviation industry chain in Lingang, and jointly create a new global highland of the civil aviation industry.

According to the agreement, relying on the advantages of the Pudong international aviation hub and the large airplane manufacturing industry, China Eastern will develop airplane repairing, modification, engine overhaul, civil aviation ground equipment manufacturing and service, aviation material trade distribution and other businesses in the Lingang New Area.

China Eastern will also deepen the development of "integration of area and harbor" in aviation, cooperate to carry out the Asia Pacific one-stop aviation logistics hub project, accelerate the construction of an aviation transit and multimodal transport system, and attract high-level aviation service enterprises such as air express and aviation headquarters.

It will explore new patterns of aviation financial services, build a new platform for higher-level aviation financial leasing services and a new aviation digital green micro city to jointly promote the healthy development of related industries in the whole industry chain of aviation services, to further strengthen the portal function of the southern area of Pudong international airport, and to develop high-end logistics services.

The Lingang New Area also signed a memorandum of understanding with China Eastern to strengthen communication, jointly promote cooperation, and explore new areas, new ways and new patterns of cooperation.