China's leap forward

摘要

A government-backed revolution is taking place in China and it is aviation that is leading the way. Alexandra van Marie reports on how the world's most populous country is plotting its way to aviation superpower status and which manufacturers are benefiting. China is the world's largest population and the third largest country. The terrain is a mixture of mountains and deserts, and the road infrastructure is underdeveloped. This background provides the perfect setting for a great leap forward in the development of aviation - and the whole world knows it. Not least of all, the Chinese. Aviation is becoming a national obsession. It is not just the size of the country that is contributing to the belief that the Chinese aviation market is one of the most important in the world. Sustained growth in the economy, and an increase in business travel and tourism means the opportunities for airlines will greatly increase. The government is allowing more market freedom to Chinese airlines, even though membership of the World Trade Organization will not mean that foreign airlines get a share in this potentially rich market (although MRO is to be opened up to foreign companies).