U.S. and China sign aviation agreement to promote trade relations

U.S. trade officials on Wednesday signed a $1.3 million (Ђ1.09 million) agreement with China's aviation ministry to help improve that country's air training and safety. Private U.S. companies and groups also plan to contribute an additional $2.3 million (Ђ1.92 million) officials said.

The agreement between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the Chinese ministry that oversees civilian aviation is meant to promote trade relations and strengthen cooperation on Chinese aviation standards and safety, said Donna Thiessen, of the USTDA.

Under the agreement, officials from the U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program, which was set up last year, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will help China establish new aircraft certification procedures, Thiessen said.

Cooperation also includes technical and managerial training for Chinese air traffic workers and other aviation officials.

The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. lawmakers, FAA officials and China's ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong. A.M.