AEROSPACE

McDonnell Douglas Confirms China Deal: The company said its Long Beach-based Douglas Aircraft unit and China will equally split the manufacture of 40 Douglas jetliners bound for Chinese customers, in a deal valued at $1.6 billion. The transaction--amending a 2-year-old pact that called for all the planes to be built in China--was signed in Washington by McDonnell Chairman John F. McDonnell and Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing. The planes will be medium-sized MD-80 and MD-90 twin-engine jets. McDonnell Douglas stock closed 62.5 cents lower at $136.125 a share on the New York Stock Exchange.