US-China Aviation Summit to Expand Cooperation in the Industry

China and the U.S. have agreed to strengthen ties in the aviation sector.

As CRI's Allie Johnson reports, the agreement has been made at a US-China Aviation Summit taking place in Washington.

The three-day US-China Aviation Summit comes following the maiden flight of Chinese cargo from Shanghai to St. Louis, a city of some 3 million people.

Local officials in St. Louis say they believe the new link should help promote trade between China and the U.S.Rebecca Blank is an acting Secretary with the US Department of Commerce.

"Nine top tier US manufacturing companies won competitive contracts to build and supply the aviation system for China's new aircraft program, the C919. Airport infrastructure needs are filling opportunities in the US companies as well. Ultimately, our success helping China meet its aerospace goals will mean more jobs here at home creating win-win scenarios for our nations."

The Chinese and U.S sides have been pushing to try to expand their aviation ties since 2000.

Passanger flows in the United States are three times as large as they are in China, despite China having a population four-times the size of the US.

China also has five-times fewer commercial aircraft than the US side does, and one-third less airports.

As such, the Deputy chief of the China's Civic Aviation Administration, Xia Xinghua, says more cooperation is crutial for the Chinese side.

"Firstly, we need to strengthen our cooperation on sustainable security development, expanding the relationship in a pragmatic way. We also need to deepen our cooperation in seaworthiness, especially on the aircraft program ARJ21 and C919.

Meanwhile, we need to strengthen our cooperation in air traffic control, General Aviation, airport construction, Energy saving and emissions reduction. "

Despite lagging behind the US market, the aviation industry here in China is expanding rapidly.

China is the currently the biggest buyer of US-made Boeing aircraft.

Boeing expects China to be one of its leading markets over the next 20 years.

That same sentiment has been echoed by Boeing's chief rival Airbus.

For CRI, I'm Allie Johnson.