PARIS - State-run Ping An Leasing, a subsidiary of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, announced it had signed an accord to purchase 50 Comac C919 aircraft to improve the aircraft leasing business.

In a press release, the Chinese company said "signing a purchase agreement with Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) was an important strategic measure for Ping An Leasing to promote the development of the aircraft leasing business and realize (its) scale and brand operation."

As for Tian Min, Comac's chief financial officer, the new order boosted the confidence for home-grown aircraft and pledged to "develop the aircraft and make efforts to provide civil aircraft with safety, economic efficiency, comfort and environmently-friendly characteristics."

The accord was signed during the first day of the 51st International Paris Air Show which began Monday.