BEIJING, China - U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) Director Thelma J. Askey and Director General of the Flight Standards Division of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) Mr. Rao Shaowu today signed a $600,000 grant to establish a Flight Standards Training Center in the People's Republic of China. U.S. Representative James L. Oberstar (D-MN), the U.S. Ambassador to China, Clark T. Randt, the Vice Minister of the CAAC, Mr. Yang Guoqing, and Mr. Wang Zhi, Director General of CAAC Planning Department, participated in the signing ceremony. The grant was signed at the China Aviation: A Journey for Progress 2002 Conference, co-hosted by the TDA and the CAAC.

The training center will be established with the help of the Boeing Co. (Chicago, IL), Interflight Services, Inc. (Bellevue, WA), and the Federal Aviation Administration. Representatives from these institutions will provide aviation safety training to Chinese personnel in a wide variety of topics, ranging from airworthiness to cabin safety. In the future, China can use this center to train aviation officials from other Asian nations in air safety, thus becoming a regional program.

CAAC is the organization responsible for all civil aviation matters in China, including regulations and training. In late 2001, the CAAC purchased thirty Boeing 737 aircraft, indicating its commitment to further develop the aviation market. Aviation and transportation safety are priority sectors for development in China.

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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