BEIJING (April 6, 2004) – Development of China’s civil aviation sector is the focus of a major symposium sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) taking place in Beijing, China.  The event attracted participation by key U.S. and China aviation officials and is taking place at the Grand Hyatt in Beijing through April 7, 2004.

“This symposium is a testament to the importance of civil aviation infrastructure in today’s world,” said USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey in remarks at today’s opening plenary.  “Projections show that China’s civil aviation sector will grow by more than eight percent per year over the next decade.  I believe there is an important role for USTDA and U.S. firms to play in helping China to meet this demand.  Working together with our partners in China, we can find and implement the best solutions.”

The symposium is being held in cooperation with the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Transportation, the U.S. Embassy in China, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the International Association of Airport Executives.  Under the theme Aviation’s Biggest Emerging Market:  Aviation System Development in China, the symposium is designed to provide a forum for the discussion of airport defederalization and the development of new airports in China, aviation safety, air traffic control, and the state of general aviation and corporate aviation markets in the China.

The event attracted more than 200 participants.  In addition to USTDA Director Askey, other speakers at the opening plenary session today were Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the CAAC; U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr., U.S. Congressman James L. Oberstar, and Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Jeffrey N. Shane.  U.S. Congressman Roger F. Wicker presented a keynote luncheon address.

During today’s symposium program, USTDA and the CAAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recognizing their shared interest in promoting closer cooperation between the Chinese and U.S. aviation sectors.  USTDA Director Askey and CAAC Minister Yang signed the MOU at the symposium luncheon.  To support the mutual goal of both agencies to promote aviation cooperation between the United States and China, the MOU stated USTDA’s support of a U.S. industry proposal to establish the Wright Brothers Partnership:  The U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program to improve coordination of U.S. private sector assistance to the CAAC.  USTDA anticipates signing a formal grant agreement for the program later in the month. 

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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