U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) launched its second Executive Management Development Training (EMDT) for Chinese aviation executives and officials with a grand opening ceremony held on July 9.

Present at the ceremony were Yang Yuanyuan, Minister of General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) and Marion Blakey, Administrator of U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Lee Zak, Director of U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA).

Both sides fully agreed on the importance of this training program.

This year's training opened with two weeks in China, followed by 12 more weeks in the United States. It focuses on leadership skills, strategic planning, project management and advanced human resources management, as well as air traffic management system, aviation/project management, and introduction of new technologies.

EMDT, launched in 2006, aims to provide a wide range of executive, managerial, technical, and operational training to CAAC officials and Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) leaders. Thirty-five Chinese executives participated in the first EMDT last year.

The training is made possible by FAA and a number of U.S. corporations, including General Motors, Boeing, Parker Aerospace, Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines.

"EMDT will not only provide training, but also an opportunity for the thirty-five Chinese executives to learn more about the U.S. aviation industry, as well as U.S. society and culture," said Chris Metts, FAA Senior Representative and ACP Co-Chairman.

"EMDT is part of our continued efforts in promoting cooperation between China and U.S. in the aviation section," said David Wang, President of Boeing China and ACP Co-Chairman. "This is another demonstration of our commitment to develop together with our Chinese aviation partners."

The ACP was created in 2004 to enhance cooperation between the Chinese and the U.S. aviation industries. This partnership is supported by grants from the TDA and contributions from U.S. aviation companies operating in China.

As an innovative public-private initiative, ACP is committed to working with the CAAC and Chinese aviation experts to develop and operate safe, efficient aviation infrastructures.

Photograph: Yang Yuanyuan, Minister of General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), and Lee Zak, Director of U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA), signed an agreement as U.S. TDA will contribute US$1.69 million to fund and support U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program. Photograph supplied by General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).