China is promoting cooperation with foreign countries in helicopter research and development, an executive from the national aircraft manufacturer said.

"The government has been negotiating with Russia on cooperating in heavy-lift helicopter development since 2009," said Cai Yi, general manager of Avicopter, a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corp of China.

Cai made his remarks during the four-day Second China Helicopter Expo, which concluded in Tianjin on Sunday.