China's newly developed civilian helicopter, the Zhi 11MBI, was awarded Wednesday a qualification certificate for civil aviation by the country's civil aviation authorities.

The helicopter, which was developed by the Helicopter Design Institute of China in cooperation with Changhe airplane Industries Co, was on a par with advanced international standards in the field, experts with the institute said.

Based on the model Zhi 11 helicopter, the new helicopter has been equipped with new engines and a number of new systems involving digital engine control, and comprehensive display and control and communications.

With a maximum load capacity of 2.25 tons, the 2.2 ton helicopter can be used for a variety of purposes, including border patrol, policing, emergency rescue, transport, sightseeing, forest fire fighting and news gathering.

(People's Daily December 25, 2003)