CAAC Passes Aviation Security Audit by ICAO
CAAC | Sep. 21, 2017
On September 2 Beijing time, ICAO announced that CAAC had successfully passed its USAP-CMA audit. The audit results indicate that China has established a robust civil aviation security legislation framework and regulatory system, which is in full compliance with the requirements in ICAO Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention.
Karen Zadoyan, the chief of the ICAO Security Audit Team, said that China was an important participant in global civil aviation and the audit showed that China's civil aviation had maintained effective security oversight, a well-functioning operational system and high levels of management, and that the audit had received full cooperation from the CAAC team which had worked with a high level of professionalism and cooperation and had shown outstanding coordination capability. He reported on the preliminary results from the eight elements of auditing. First, the Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Safety and Security of Civil Aviation provide the legal basis for China's civil aviation security work and for ensuring the implementation of the Standards contained in Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention in China. Second, China has put in place a well-developed National Aviation Security Program, which includes unequivocally and accurately defined rules and regulations on aviation security, which fall in line with the Standards and requirements in Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention. Third, the government body responsible for civil aviation security is well-structured, with clearly-defined responsibilities, clear division of labor and a robust regulating system. Fourth, the training system for security personnel is well designed and effectively implemented. Fifth, CAAC has put in place exhaustive policies and technical guidance documents of all categories and levels. Sixth, CAAC has developed and effectively implemented a complete set of processes for qualification of civil aviation security personnel. Seventh, CAAC has carried out a host of effective national aviation security quality control activities. Last, CAAC has developed and effectively implemented a robust process to address detected deficiencies. Zadoyan also suggested that CAAC should further enhance the filing for record of foreign airlines' security programs, expand the coverage of security tests and set up a national-level aviation security committee.
Wei Yajun, Chief Safety Inspector and Director General of the Aviation Security Bureau, CAAC, expressed his thanks to the ICAO Security Audit Team for its efforts to improve China's civil aviation security level, and stated that CAAC fully agreed with the suggestions offered by ICAO Audit Team and would work to ensure better security oversight in all aspects.
Wei Yajun pointed out that the laws, regulations and standards governing aviation security oversight in China are in compliance with the requirements in ICAO Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention and the Aviation Security Oversight Manual; the three-level aviation security oversight mechanism and the aviation security internal quality control system for airports and public air transport enterprises have proven effective; and the civil aviation security oversight system is getting more systematic, professional and effective. CAAC has developed innovative approaches in a range of areas, such as joint security patrols in the landside area, explosives detection at terminal exits, analysis and application of security big data for passengers and biotechnologies such as facial recognition, which are above ICAO's benchmark standards. Besides, CAAC has adopted a zero tolerance principle on security oversight by implementing strict oversight and severe punishment, to ensure each airline develops a security capability compatible with its operation scale. CAAC stands ready to share its aviation security experience with ICAO and other Contracting States to improve the global aviation security level.