Boeing Co. sold 800 airplanes to Chinese air carriers by July 20 this year. The 800th plane was a next-generation 737-800 delivered to Air China.

"We have witnessed the rapid development of the aviation industry in China. We are honored to be part of the development by providing our best products and services," said Jim Simon, Vice President of Sales for China at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

China's first Boeing order was for 10 707s in 1972, and to date the company's jets are the mainstay of China's air travel and cargo transportation industry, accounting for more than 50 percent of all commercial jetliners operating in China.