USTDA Signs Memorandum of Understanding for "The Wright Brothers Partnership" - US/CHINA Aviation Cooperation Program in China

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 6, 2004

Posted on Apr 6, 2004

BEIJING, CHINA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the China Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC), which will support technical assistance training under the Wright Brothers Partnership – U.S./China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP). Ms. Thelma J. Askey, Director of USTDA signed the MOU expressing intention to support the ACP. Vice Minister Li Jun signed on behalf of the CAAC. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the CAAC; Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Jeffrey N. Shane, U.S. Congressman Roger F. Wicker; U.S. Congressman James L. Oberstar; Mr. David Wang, President of Boeing-China; and Mr. Graham Atkinson, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Alliances for United Airlines.

The ACP will provide training for Chinese aviation professionals, both in China and in the United States. It will also promote industry-wide cooperation between the U.S. and China, helping Chinese aviation experts to develop and operate safe and efficient aviation infrastructure. The founding members of the ACP include Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Parker, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, United Airlines, UPS, and United Technologies. Later today, Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Marion C. Blakey will address the importance of the ACP in continuing to foster close relationships between the U.S. and China in the aviation sector through a pre-recorded video presentation. ACP will also coordinate its programs with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (FCS).

As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), China’s overall trade volume is expected to increase greatly over the next several years, and the aviation sector continues to be a critical part of the U.S./China trade relationship. The ACP will play a vital role in helping the CAAC meet the demands and training requirements of increased operations, and in building a safe, efficient, and modern aviation infrastructure.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.