APEC countries agree to upgrade aviation development

Civil aviation ministers from the Asia and Pacific economies agreed to boost aviation development in the region, including aviation safety, aerial navigation service, accident investigation and talent training.

The agreement was made at the first Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, which ended Thursday in Beijing. The conference passed the Beijing Declaration.

"By 2020, all airports in APEC countries will pass reviews from the State civil aviation administration. … By 2025, all APEC countries will carry out national air safety proposals," said Feng Zhenglin, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

APEC countries will establish independent accident investigation organizations and build regional partnerships to enhance accident investigation capabilities.

"China has become the largest air transport market in the Asia and Pacific region. … In 2017, airports in China handled 552 million trips, contributing 25 percent to the world’s civil aviation growth and 55 percent to the region," Feng said.

"In 15 years, China will import products in the value of $24 trillion. Foreign investments will hit $2 trillion. … It will grant the Asia and Pacific region and the world a broad market, sufficient capital, diverse products and valuable cooperation opportunities," Feng said.

The civil aviation industry is a major boost to the economy, said Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).