EU & China Launch €10 million Aviation Cooperation Project

A new chapter in EU-China aviation relations has started with the official launch of the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP).

The 5-year, €10 million project, managed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and partners, will link technical cooperation with policy dialogue between the European and Chinese aviation authorities. It is funded by the Partnership Instrument of the European Union and supported by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The project follows a new cooperation approach with the activities being jointly implemented by EASA and CAAC for the first time. It was launched at a ceremony in Beijing, in the presence of Mr. Dietmar Schweisgut, European Union Ambassador to China, Mr. Feng Zhenglin, Administrator of CAAC and EASA Executive Director, Mr. Patrick Ky.

Dietmar Schweisgut, EU Ambassador said: "Aviation is a strong driver of economic growth, jobs, trade and mobility for the European Union. With China's aviation market growing fast it makes perfect sense for two of the world's largest aviation markets to work closely together."

Patrick Ky, EASA Executive Director said: "We are building with CAAC the foundation for a strong EU-China Aviation Partnership. It will increase cooperation and mutual understanding on key areas such as safety and environmental protection; it will also allow for better exchange of best practices and standards between industry players."

The EU-China APP will focus on the following areas of mutual interest:

Dedicated activities will be implemented in these areas including regulatory cooperation, safety promotion exercises, workshops, training and technical exchanges.