As the Zhuhai air show in China takes off, Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Airbus both plan to boost the amount of aircraft components they source from the nation.
 
Airbus' COO says the European aerospace giant plans to source $1 billion in aircraft components from China, double its current amount, by 2020.
 
At a separate briefing at the air show, Boeing's Commercial Airplane VP, Kent Fisher, said it plans to double its $2 billion in aircraft parts sourced from China over the next several years.
 
Boeing shares rose fractionally on the stock market today.
 
China has become a new battleground for the two aerospace giants as the Chinese middle class grows rapidly and wants to travel more. (For similar reasons, U.S. online travel giants such as Expedia and Priceline also see China as the new frontier, with the latter recently taking a stake in local online site Ctrip.)

In its September outlook, Boeing forecasts China needing 6,020 new airplanes over the next 20 years, valued at $870 billion.
 
China is seen taking delivery of nearly 45% total demand for airplanes in the Asia-Pacific region over the next two decades.
 
Also Tuesday, Boeing inked a deal with Aviation Industry Corporation of China to make composite tail parts for Boeing 777s starting in 2017.
 
China already produces the emergency doors in some Airbus A330s and Boeing 787 jets and some composite materials from locally sourced products