China's aviation sector set for continued growth in 2025

China

China's aviation sector set for continued growth in 2025

2025-01-10 16:57 Last Updated At：17:57

China's aviation industry is poised for steady growth in 2025, with projected growth in air cargo, passenger traffic, and industry revenue, according to plans announced at a national civil aviation work conference on Thursday.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the country's aviation industry is forecast to achieve a transportation turnover of 161 billion tonne-km, with passenger traffic soaring to 780 million and cargo and mail volume surging to 9.5 million tonnes, which is expected to drive further growth in profitability

The recovery of international flights is also a key focus, with the CAAC aiming to restore international flight capacity to over 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2025.

Key airport projects in cities such as Guangzhou in southern China, Dalian in northeastern China, and regional airports such as Balikun Dahe Airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will advance, with the goal of increasing the total number of transport airports to 270 by the end of the year.

The CAAC will also prioritize optimizing airspace in busy regions such as Wenzhou in eastern China, Wuhan in central China, and Hainan in southern China, to enhance air traffic management.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.