Xia Xinghua, deputy chief of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said during the 10th Routes Asia on Apr. 15 that, Asian aviation market has become one of the leading forces sourcing the growth of the global aviation industry. With broad cooperative space and bright prospects, the Chinese civil aviation industry will open more international routes and participate in the international cooperation and competition more actively in Asia.

According to Xia, Chinese civil aviation has signed air transportation agreements with 114 countries/territories worldwide including 43 Asian countries/territories. Among the overall 443 international routes to 125 destinations in the world operated by Chinese carriers, only 104 are Asian routes connecting 29 Asian cities, which account for less than a quarter of the total network. Consequently, the space and prospect for inner-Asian aviation cooperation are predictably promising.

The Chinese civil aviation industry has been encouraged and guided to accelerate the "flying out" pace by exploring more international routes and maximizing its participation in the international cooperation and competition. On the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Chinese civil aviation is willing to continue strengthening its partnership with the foreign civil aviation. In order to better serve both domestic and foreign aviation enterprises as well as facilitate the personnel & business exchanges between China and foreign countries, China's civil aviation will keep on expanding the international traffic rights adhering to the principles of positive, progressive, organized and secured.

Up till now, the third and fourth freedoms of the air have been opened between China and ASEAN countries. In addition, the comprehensive communications between China and other Northeast Asian countries like Japan and South Korea are constantly moving forward. Last but not least, broad space exists in upgrading the air transportation cooperation between China and Central Asia & South Asia.

Xia pointed out, covering 30% of the total world area and with almost 3/5 of the global population, Asia has a tremendous potential in its aviation market which has already become the mainspring leading the development of the global aviation industry. He said, for the purpose of further promoting the Asian air transportation market, a cooperative & mutually beneficial principle should be followed. Specific areas of improvement include: safe and balanced development according to the unique local conditions; air travel popularization through enhanced facilitation and increased accessibility; sustainable development of the Asian air transportation by strengthened infrastructure constructions.

High potentials exist in the rapidly developing Western China area, Xia also said. CAAC will continue providing full support to the air transportation industry in Sichuan. Both domestic and foreign airlines are encouraged to open new routes in various forms connecting Chengdu and other international destinations, in order to fuel the construction of Chengdu Shuangliu Airport as a major international aviation hub.