29 years ago, Premier Deng Xiaoping put forward the concepts of
reform and opening up of the economy. Since then, these have become fundamental to the formation of China’s national policies.
Over the past three decades since the implementation of reform and
opening up policies, China’s economy maintained a rapid average
annual growth rate of 9.6%. In 2006, China’s GDP amounted to $2.63
trillion and per capita GDP reached 2000 US dollars.
Meanwhile, great progress has been made in social undertakings of
the country. Driven by continuous and rapid economic development, China’s civil
aviation industry has achieved impressive growth.
In 2006, total turnover of air transport, passenger volume, and cargo
and mail volume reached 30.58 billion ton kilometers, 160 million
people and 3.493 million tons, an average annual growth rate of 18%,
16.3%, and 15.4% respectively from 1978 to 2006.
Average growth rate of total turnover was more than double the world
average. Total turnover of scheduled flights ranked the second in 2005 among
ICAO members, up from the 37th place in 1978. Currently, Chinese airlines operate scheduled flights on more than 1300 routes and own 1028 transport aircraft of different types. There
are 147 airports in China with flight operations.
In the past 30 years, China’s civil aviation industry experienced two
major system reforms and continued to open up to the outside world.
Until now, the industry has established a preliminary management and
operation system which is compatible with socialist market economy
and international trends.
Aviation safety management has become more legislation-oriented,
standardized and rationalized. Aviation safety levels have continued to
improve.
We are aware that, generally speaking, the aviation sector of China
is and will be for a long time, pur
suing growth. The present size and quality of the industry cannot meet the demands of reform and opening up, and economic development of the country. |
