Ian Thomas, formerly president of Boeing Australia and South Pacific, was appointed president of Boeing China, the US aircraft manufacturer announced on Thursday.

Thomas, 48, will lead the company's activities including implementation of the Boeing China strategy.

His predecessor, Marc Allen, has been named president of Boeing Capital Corp, a global provider of financial services with a $4.3 billion portfolio.

In 2013, Boeing delivered more than 140 airplanes to China, a 60 percent increase from the previous year, including the 1,000th Boeing airplane to China.

Boeing China employs 6,000 workers directly and through subsidiaries and joint ventures.