Shanghai's goal of becoming a globally important aviation hub by 2015 has been brought closer by a deal signed between the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the eastern Chinese municipality's government here on Thursday.

The strategic cooperation agreement aiming to speed up Shanghai's civil aviation development will usher in a new era for the municipality's aviation industry, said CAAC officials at the signing ceremony.

According to the agreement, efforts will be made to ensure the safety of air traffic, improve aviation services and promote research, development and manufacturing of large passenger aircraft.

By 2015, the two airports in Shanghai, Hongqiao and Pudong, should be able to handle 100 million passengers and 5.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, thus becoming a key node in the global aviation network, officials said.

Specific objectives were also provided for the two airports in the agreement.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport should be a key aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region and a leading cargo airport worldwide, while Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport should be a highly passenger-friendly facility.

Civil aviation development is a priority for China during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015). The country plans to build 70 new airports, relocate 15 airports and renovate 101 others nationwide and buy more than 300 planes annually, according to the plan.