BEIJING, CHINA - (March 4, 2002) U.S. Trade & Development Agency (TDA) Director Thelma J. Askey addressed the plenary session of the China Aviation: A Journey for Progress 2002 Conference that began today and will continue through tomorrow afternoon. U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt launched the morning session by welcoming the delegations of both the United States and China. The Honorable James L. Oberstar, Senior Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, gave the keynote speech at the opening-day luncheon to a crowd of nearly two hundred experts in the field of aviation from the public and private sectors of both countries.

China Aviation: A Journey for Progress 2002 is hosted by both TDA and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), and represents the first symposium hosted by TDA since re-opening for business in 2001. The highest-ranking Chinese officials in the aviation sector also held integral roles in this conference. The Honorable Yang Guoqing, Vice Minister of CAAC, delivered the opening session keynote speech. The Honorable Liu Jianfeng, CAAC Minister, welcomed participants during the morning session, while Mr. Wang Zhi, Director General of CAAC Planning, and Mr. Wang Ronghua, Director General of CAAC International Affairs, served as moderators.

The TDA program in China is growing rapidly. China has become one of the leading country portfolios for TDA in terms of funding and number of activities. To date, TDA has signed eight grant agreements totaling more than $3 million. Following the opening sessions of the Conference, another grant was signed for $600,000 to establish a CAAC Flight Standards Training Center in China. The grant will help train Chinese inspectors and managers on a variety of aviation safety related topics.

"TDA is helping Chinese project sponsors to achieve important developmental goals which improve standards of living and provide the infrastructure basis for further economic development," stated Director Askey. "Aviation plays a large role in the China portfolio and we anticipate many more projects in the future."

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation by helping U.S. companies pursue business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, TDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity building initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy and development objectives around the world.

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