AmCham keen on improved Sino-US biz

The American Chamber of Commerce in China said it would leverage its advantageous resources and make efforts to further improve the business environment, and promote the healthy and stable development of US-China economic and trade relations.

Alvin Liu, president of Boeing China, was elected chairman of the board of governors of AmCham China in January, and he said this week that he will work with board members and the AmCham China team to help promote bilateral trade ties.

AmCham China, a nonprofit organization, has member companies spanning diverse sectors, collectively representing about 1,000 foreign enterprises operating in China. Since its establishment in 1919, AmCham China has served as an important bridge for promoting economic and trade exchanges between the United States and China.

Liu said: "The civil aviation industry connects people from all over the world and promotes the flow of goods and services. It is also an important link in US-China relations, facilitating trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

"I am optimistic about the prospects of civil aviation cooperation between the two countries. I look forward to actively leveraging the role of AmCham China as a link during my tenure. We will build a more diversified communication and exchange platform, and provide comprehensive support for member companies to deeply cultivate in China."

He added that to further improve the operational efficiency of the civil aviation system and reduce the impact of civil aviation transportation on the environment, there are still many opportunities for cooperation between the two sides in establishing safety standards, sharing technical experience and practicing sustainable development.

Having entered the China market more than five decades ago, US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has continued to strengthen its cooperation with Chinese industry players.

In late February, Boeing delivered its 100th completed wide-body B767-300 Boeing converted freighter (BCF) to SF Airlines, China's largest air cargo carrier by fleet size and the aviation branch of the nation's leading courier enterprise SF Express.

Now, SF Airlines operates 90 B767-300BCF aircraft, entering a new stage of large-scale development and global operation. So far, the airline has served more than 110 cities globally.

By 2030, China is expected to overtake the US as the world's largest air passenger market. Over the next 20 years, air passenger numbers in China are expected to grow 5.7 percent per year on average, faster than the global average of 3.8 percent, said the International Air Transport Association, which represents some 340 airlines comprising over 80 percent of global air traffic.

The number of flights connecting China and the US is expected to further increase. This June, US carrier Delta Air Lines plans to resume direct flights connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Los Angeles. Currently, the carrier operates flights connecting Shanghai with Detroit and Seattle.

China's civil aviation market has been resilient and shown rapid growth. Last year, domestic carriers witnessed a record number of over 700 million passenger trips, said the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The IATA said the aviation sector and its related supply chains serve as a crucial engine for China's economic growth and social prosperity. In 2023, the aviation sector contributed $253.6 billion to China's GDP and supported 10.2 million jobs, further reinforcing its economic significance.

"The aviation industry supports the efficient operation of supply chains, and fuels the growth of related sectors such as tourism, hospitality and retail, creating a large number of jobs and enhancing people's quality of life," said Xie Xingquan, IATA's regional vice-president for North Asia, and the Asia-Pacific (ad interim).

"With China's continued economic growth, the aviation industry will play an even greater role in facilitating trade, driving regional economic integration, enhancing social mobility and fostering cultural exchange," Xie said.

He added that compared to other major economies, China's aviation sector still has significant potential to further contribute to economic and social development. As the industry continues to recover and grow, its impact on China's economic expansion, social well-being and global connectivity will continue to strengthen.