Shanghai Airlines is expected to become a member of the Star Alliance in 2007, becoming the first Chinese carrier to join the world’s largest airline alliance.

Jaan Albrecht, chief executive of the Star Alliance, said in Shanghai that Shanghai Airlines needed to make improvements to meet the operational standards required by the alliance before it could join.

Star Alliance and Shanghai Airlines have signed a memorandum of cooperation, under which the alliance will help Shanghai Airlines to make improvements and adjustments in the fields of sharing information with other member carriers, ticketing systems, safety, legal affairs and training.

Shanghai Airlines applied for membership in November 2004.

Another Chinese carrier, Air China, has been in talks to join the alliance, Albrecht said.