Chinese and US Air Traffic Officials Advance Aviation Cooperation

May 20, 2004

BEIJING — Discussions today between top American and Chinese air traffic control officials significantly advances greater cooperation on vital aviation issues between the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).

The FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Chief Operating Officer Russell Chew, CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) Director General Su LanGen, and ATMB Executive Deputy Director General Liu YaJun examined ways to meet increasing Chinese airspace demands and improve air traffic control safety and efficiency. According to the CAAC, air traffic has grown 15 percent annually since 1978 and is expected to continue a high rate for decades to come. Chew is visiting China May 19 to 21.

"The United States is committed to partnering with China as they improve their domestic and international air traffic system to meet increased demand," said Chew. "I am encouraged that both nations recognize the importance of new technologies that are more interoperable and that facilitate seamless global operations."

In February 2004, FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey visited China and signed a record of discussion with the CAAC that set forth a number of areas of cooperation between the FAA and CAAC that will serve to enhance the safety and capacity of China's aviation system. Today's meeting between the CAAC and FAA top air traffic control officials was an outgrowth of that agreement, focusing particular attention on defining the priorities of a recently formed FAA-CAAC Air Traffic Steering Group that will address critical air traffic issues in China over the next two years.

The first proposal to address these priorities calls for greater cooperation between China and the United States in the development of an Air Traffic Control System of Aviation Law, Regulations and Guidance Materials for China. Chinese officials are particularly interested in strengthening the rule of law in civil aviation.

Another proposal under consideration is increased cooperation on air traffic control capacity and efficiency at China's busiest airports, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and the Pearl River Delta. Special emphasis was placed on the challenge to create more capacity while maintaining safety at Beijing's Capital Airport in time for the 2008 Olympics.

Today's talks also built on previous meetings in China and the United States regarding ways to advance general aviation in the People's Republic. China is in the process of opening much more of its low altitude airspace to general aviation as a means to further economic development. General aviation has a great potential for helping develop the economies in northeastern and western China, where the surface transportation infrastructure is lacking. One significant effort underway is the creation of Chinese aeronautical charts for use by general aviation pilots flying in good weather at lower altitudes.

Chew also met with various US business leaders and representatives of the American Embassy during the visit. Chew will tour various air traffic control facilities and view new technologies at the airport in Beijing.